Abstract

The challenging forensic procedure of corpse identification is required by law authorities and social norms. It is very crucial to compare the post-mortem and antemortem medical information in cases where the bodies are severely damaged and beyond recognition. However, conventional identification techniques might not have been effective, especially though there have been substantial post-mortem alterations. In unidentifiable skeletons, gender has long been determined from either the skull, pelvic or long bones with an epiphysis and a metaphysis. In the present study, an attempt has been made to determine gender divergences from axial and coronal computed tomographic scans (CT) of the maxillary sinus in the Kerala population. A total of 40 individuals including 20 males and 20 females, visiting the Outpatient Department of the Koyilli Hospital, Kannur were included as the study subjects. The dimensions of the right and left maxillary sinuses of 40 subjects from plain CT were measured using Radiant DICOM software. Statistical analysis was completed with an independent student t-test and general descriptive analysis with SPSS software. Gender determination using height, length, and the width of the maxillary sinus on both sides showed statistically insignificant results but in the case of left volume and left the anterior-posterior height of the maxillary sinus the p-value was found to be significant at 95% of confidence level. So, the present study concludes that the left volume of the maxillary sinus and left anteroposterior height showed statistically significant results which can be considered in determining and screening corpses on the bases of maxillary sinus computed tomographic records.

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