Original Article
Year : 2021 | Volume : 6 | Issue : 1 | Page : 43 - 50
Comparative Reliability of Cheiloscopy and Palatoscopy in Identification and Gender Determination among 5–14‐Year‐Old Children: An In vivo Study
Subhathira Rajasekaran, Sham S. Bhat1, Vidya Bhat2
From the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Sri Siddhartha Dental College, Sri Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education, Tumkur, Departments of 1 Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry and 2 Prosthodontics, Yenepoya Dental College, Yenepoya (Deemed to be) University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
Address for correspondence:
Dr. Subhathira Rajasekaran,
E‐mail: subhathira@gmail.com
Abstract
Background and Aim:
The study of lip prints and palatal rugae patterns is considered to be distinct to every individual and consequently holds the potential for identification. Thus, the aim of this study is to ascertain the use of lip prints and palatal rugae pattern in identification and gender determination among 5–14‐year‐old children.
Methods:
A total of 92 children, 46 males and 46 females, were selected from the Outpatient Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Yenepoya Dental College, Mangalore. Thomas and Kotze classification were used to analyze the dental casts to study palatal rugae patterns. Suzuki and Tsuchihashi classification was used to analyze lip prints recorded using butter paper.
Statistical Analysis Used:
Independent t-test was used for estimating the total number of rugae and number of primary rugae. Chi-square test was used for determining the predominant shape, direction, and unification in palatal rugae and for the association of lip prints with gender determination in all the quadrants.
Results:
Type 1, 1’, and 2 were observed in females more, whereas Type 3 and 4 were observed in males. The predominant shape of the rugae was wavy and curved among males and females. The incidence of forwardly directed and backwardly directed rugae was more in males and perpendicularly directed rugae were more in females.
Conclusions:
The present study proves that both cheiloscopy and palatoscopy have the potential to identify an individual; however, lip prints are said to be more reliable in identifying the sex of an individual as compared to palatal rugae patterns.
Key Words:
Cheiloscopy, forensic odontology, gender differentiation, identification, palatoscopy
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
How to cite this article:
Rajasekaran S, Bhat SS, Bhat V. Comparative reliability of cheiloscopy and palatoscopy in identification and gender determination among 5–14 year old children: An in vivo study. Int J Forensic Odontol 2021;6:43-50.
