Year : 2015

Volume : Volume 5

Issue : Issue 2

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Manish Goel
drmgmds@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:  Palatal rugae are irregular, asymmetric ridges of the mucous membrane extending laterally from the incisive papilla and the anterior part of the palatal raphe. Palatal rugae patterns are relatively unique to an individual and are well protected by the lips, buccal pad of fat and teeth. They are considered to be stable throughout life following completion of growth & thus, suggest their use for forensic identification. The purpose of this paper is to identify / recognize the role of dentist as a helping hand in the identification of an individual after a thorough study of one’s rugae pattern. Information was collected from scientific articles published on the databases SciELO, MEDLINE and PUBMED in last 25 years, as well as technical books and guidelines of international committees.

Keywords: Palatal Rugae, Human identification, Rugoscopy.