RESUMO
In highly decomposed and mutilated dead body remains dentures are frequently sent for the medicolegal examination by the forensic experts for identification. Dental tissues like bones resist putrefaction for much more longer period and these are in many cases available for examination due to its tough texture and ability to escape destruction. Methods: The present prospective study was done on 450 subjects (225 males and 225 females) of known age and sex, from different socio-economic strata and religion belonging to north region of Bihar state. Their age ranges vary from 14-73 years. The mandibular and maxillary canines of both sides were measured in both sexes. Various dimensions namely, mandibular and maxillary canine crown width, crown length and canine separation width were taken in each case with the help of dividers and vernier calipers with a resolution of 0.1mm. Results: In the present study, regarding mandibular canines in males, crown length showed the maximum accuracy (92.0%) of sex identity in the age group (E) 54-63 years and canine separation width showed the minimum accuracy of 40% in the age group (D) 44-53 years. In females, crown width showed the maximum accuracy of 83.33% in the age group (D) 44-53 years and minimum accuracy of 30% by crown length in the age group (F) 64-73 years. Regarding the maxillary canines, in males, the crown length showed the maximum accuracy (90%) of sex identity in the age group (D) 44-53 years and the minimum accuracy of 44% in the age group (A) 14-23 years. In females, both crown width and crown length showed the maximum accuracy of 96.66% in the age group (D) 44-53 years and minimum accuracy of 22% by crown width in the age group (B) 24-33 years. Conclusion: The present study revealed this method could be useful as a reliable tool for sex identity when use of other methods are not possible or there is no definite features indicating the sex as in cases when parts of decomposed and skeletonised dead bodies are recovered after a mass disaster or exhumation and also in cases when smaller fragmented part of the body is only available for examination.