Indian Journal of Forensic Odontology

Objective: The objective of present study is to assess the age and gender related changes in articular eminence inclination by best fit line method and top roof line method in right and left side of temporomandibular joint. This study is also implemented to predict the age of subjects on the basis of inclination angle by best fit line method and top roof line method. Material and Methods: The CBCT scan of 150 children were used in present study. The cone beam images (Scans) were obtained from Carestream 9000cc (USA) CBCT machine at 90 Kvp,4 mA for 6.3 seconds at FOV 17x6 and voxel size of 200.The TMJ was definedon 0.5 mm-thick axial slices. One of the axial views on which the condylar processes were seen with their widest mediolateral extent was used as a reference view for secondary reconstruction. The lateral slices of the TMJ were performed perpendicular to the long axis of the condylar process with 1mm thickness and the coronal slices were performed parallel to the long axis of the condylar process with 1mm thickness on the selected axial image. Results: The articular eminence inclination was statistically non significant in males (P value>.05) and females (P value>.05) in both best fit line method and top roof line method. The co-relation between age groups and articular eminence inclination by Best fit line method (right side and left side) and by Top roof line method (right side and left side) was stastically significant (p value<.001). Conclusion: Age plays an important role in articular eminence inclination by top roof line method and best fit line method. The age of an individual can be predicted if eminence inclination angle is known.

Keywords: Temporomandibular Joint; Best Fit Line Method; Top Roof Line Method; CBCT. 

There is indispensable need of adding Cranio Facial Reconstruction (CFR) database using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) of various populations for forensic facial reconstruction (FFR) purposes. The aim of this review paper is to give an exhaustive and critical review of the advantages of using CBCT over other 3D reconstruction techniques. Conferring facial soft tissue thickness (FSTT) population studies database of varied population till date defined within a common framework of facial identification. Extensive online searches were conducted and with all kinds of evidence exists an overview is provided. Further, the paper will also discuss the deficiencies in research database of FFR with CBCT in various populations and focus to create awareness of future requirements. Finally, we conclude this review by suggesting future directions of theneed to collect as much CFR data as possible using CBCT with set norms among different populations and subsequently performing validation to increase the practical relevance of CFR methods in crime-scene investigations.

Keywords: CBCT; Soft Tissue Thickness; Forensic Craniofacial Reconstruction. 

Palatoscopy or palatal rugoscopy is the study of palatal rugae. Palatal rugae were first described by Winslow in 1753. Palatal rugae have been considered relevant for human identification due to its unique for each individual. Aims and Objectives: Analyse the patterns of palatal rugae for number, size and shape on dental cast of 50 subjects and to compare the rugae patterns in males and females. Method: Palatal rugae were analysed by Lysell, Thomas and Kotze Classification. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study it may be concluded that rugae pattern are highly individualistic and can be used as a supplementary method for personal identification.

Keywords: Palatal Rugae; Shape; Size; Numbers; Gender. 

Aims: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of the root length and neck diameter of teeth, a new odontometric parameter in gender determination. Materials and Method: 120 anterior teeth from male patients and 120 anterior teeth from female patients of 22 to 80 years of age extracted tooth collected. Root length measured from buccal side, Mesial side, distal side and means of proximal surfaces. Neck diameter measerd from mesiodistally and buco-lingually. Neck circumference measured from bucco-lingual and mesiodistal crest of curvature. Root length, neck diameter and neck circumference compared between male and female. Results: Mandibular central incisors of male patient have mesial, distal & mean proximal root length as well as mesiodistal & buccolingual neck diameter and neck circumference measured at mesiodistally was significantly higher than females and Mandibular lateral incisors of male patients have buccal, mesial & mean proximal root length as well as mesiodistal neck diameter and neck circumference measured at buccolingually was significantly higher than females. Conclusion: Root length, neck diameter and circumference of Mandibular central and Mandibular lateral incisors are significantly higher in male than females. Mandibular central and Mandibular lateral incisors are important teeth to identify the gender in forensic odontology. Root length, neck diameter and neck circumferences are more stable and valuable odontometric parameter in gender determination in forensic odontology.

Keywords: Female; Forensic Odontology; Male; Neck Diameter; Root Length. 

Objective: This study aims at age and sex related changes in mediolateral diameter of nasolacrimal duct. The mathmetical equations derived from linear regression analysis on the basis of mediolateral diameter of nasolacrimal duct is used in determination of age of study subjects however sex of study subjects can be predicted on the basis of mediolateral dimension of nasolacrimal duct by discriminant function analysis using Fischer’s exact test. Material and Methods: The CBCT images of 154 pediatric subjects were analysed prospectively. All the CBCT images are obtained at 90 Kvp,4 mA for 11.3 seconds at FOV(17"x13.5") voxel size of 300. The mediolateral diameter of nasolacrimal duct are measured by using Trophy Dicom Ink software programme on axial images (DICOM images). Results: The study population consists of 154 pediatric subjects aged between 6 and 17 years with a mean age of 12.38±3.07 years. The mediolateral dimensions in male and female was statistically not significant (P>.05). The mean mediolateral dimension was statistically not significant (P>.05) in age groups. M/L diameterof nasopalatine duct is directly associated with age and demonstrate a significant positive relation. Conclusion: The age and sex issues in medico-legal cases and forensic anthropology can be resolved by measurements of nasopalatine duct.

Keywords: Nasopalatine Duct; Cone Beam Computed Tomography; Maxilla. 

 Objectives: The objective of the present study is to determine the age on the basis ofbizygomatic distance, intermaxillary distance, antero-posterior diameter and maxillary sinus width.The bizygomatic distance and maxillary sinus width is also studied as dimorphic tool in relation to gender determination. Materials and Methods: This is prospective study of 151 study subjects which was carried out in Department of oral medicine and radiology using Carestream 9000cc Cone beam computed tomography(CBCT) machine. All the measurements were taken from series of axial sections of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) of head and paranasal sinuses (PNS) images using DICOM viewer. Results: The study population consists of 151 study subjects aged between 6 and 17 years having49.7% male and 50.3% females.The maxillary sinus width in right side of male and female was statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean maxillary sinus width in right side is higher in males (25.6 mm)than females(23.9mm).Maxillary sinus width (right & left), maxillary sinus height (right & left), intermaxillary distance and bizygomatic width were significantly associated in all age groups(P<.005). On the basis of strong positive correlation shown by pearson correlation, it was concluded that age plays an important role in determination of maxillary sinus width, maxillary sinus height, intermaxillary distance and bizygomatic width. The mathematical equations derived from linear regression analysis helps in age determination. However age prediction by maxillary sinus width (right & left), maxillary sinus height (right & left), intermaxillary distance and bizygomatic width was strongly significant i.e on the basis of above parametrs age can be predicted with high accuracy. Conclusion: As maxillary sinus width (right & left), maxillary sinus height (right & left), intermaxillary distance and bizygomatic width was strongly significant (P value<.05). It was concluded that in paediatric population, all the maxillary parameters can be used as strong dimorphic tool for sex determination by cone beam computed tomography.

Keywords: Maxillary Sinus; Bizygomatic Distance; Intermaxillary Distance; Cone Beam Computed Tomography; Sex Determination.