Stature estimation using odontometry and skull anthropometry.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possibility of estimating height from odontometry and anthropometric data of the skull for the positive identification of height in forensic investigations concerned with fragmentary human remains. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 100 Mysorean patients, 50 males, and 50 females. Measurements of mesiodistal widths of the six maxillary anterior teeth, circumference of the skull, and height were made directly on each patient. Anteroposterior diameter of the skull was obtained on the lateral cephalograph. The data collected were subjected to statistical methods. The known heights of the combined data, data for males, and females were regressed against the odontometric and anthropometric variables using linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Significant sexual dimorphism was observed for the parameters studied ( P 0.05). Highly significant correlation was found between height and other parameters when combined data and data for males were regressed. The equation relating height to the combined mesiodistal width of maxillary anterior teeth was derived as height = 982.421 + 13.65 x combined mesiodistal width of maxillary anterior teeth ( P 0.0001). Similarly equations were obtained by regressing height to head circumference and skull diameter ( P 0.0001 for both). The above findings may hence provide reliable method of estimation of height from skeletal remains in the forensic setup.

Palatal rugae pattern in Mysorean and Tibetan populations.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the palatine rugae pattern of Mysorean and Tibetan subjects, to assess the predominant palatine rugae pattern in Mysorean and Tibetan population, and to determine the uniqueness of palatine rugae pattern in an individual. MATERIALS: Maxillary study models of 60 subjects each (30 males and 30 females) of age group 17-23 years, of Mysorean population and Tibetan population were assessed for the length, shape, and unification of rugae based on the classification by Lysell et al. The palatine rugae were compared for the above mentioned parameters. 2 way ANOVA and Chi square tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that males had significantly more number of total rugae on the right compared to the left side in both populations. Indian males had more primary rugae on the left side as compared to females and vice versa for the Tibetan population. Also, Indian males had more number of curved rugae on both right and left sides than Tibetan males and Tibetan females had more wavy rugae on right and left sides than Indian females. In other aspects, no significant difference or association was found. CONCLUSIONS: A statistically significant association between the total number of rugae and the gender in both the study populations exists. Parameters like the length and shape of the rugae show racial differences.