Sex Determination in Kerala Population Using Morphometric Analysis of Orbital and Mandibular Height: An Institutional Based Study

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Measurement of orbital space and height of the mandible are used as tools for estimation of sex, which can be done by using different radiographic techniques like CT, MRI, frontal and lateral skull view, which gives superior accuracy and reproducibility. Aims: To determine the sex of the individual using orbital and mandibular height. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional retrospective study was conducted using a study group consisting of 100 lateral cephalograms both male and female of 18-30 years of age. Lateral cephalograms available in orthodontics department ar- chives were used. In the lateral cephalogram height of orbit was measured by marking the points at supra orbital and infra orbital margin & height of mandible was measured by marking the points at condylion superior (the most superior point on the mandibular condyle) and gonion with the help of GIMPS (GNU Image Manipulation Program) software. The data obtained were analyzed by descriptive statistics, discriminant function analysis using Wilk’s Lambda test. Results: Discriminant function analysis was used to describe the data with appropriate method of presentation. Descriptive statistics showed that mandibular height was statistically significant between males and females. However, the orbital height difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Mandibular height can be used in sex determination, which can be utilized as an adjunct in forensic identification