RUGOSCOPY: AN ADJUNCT FOR SEX DIFFERENTIATION IN FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY

Abstract

Forensic odontology plays a vital role in identifying human remains in medico-legal investigations. Sex determination is a crucial step in the identification process, and various methods have been employed to achieve accurate results. Rugoscopy, the study of palatal rugae patterns, has emerged as a potential adjunct for sex differentiation in forensic odontology. This study investigates the effectiveness of rugoscopy in determining sex using a sample of dental casts from individuals of known sex. The rugae patterns are analyzed, and statistical models are developed to assess their reliability as sex indicators. The findings demonstrate the utility of rugoscopy as an adjunct method for sex differentiation in forensic odontology, contributing to the advancement of forensic identification techniques.

Keywords:

, palatal rugae, sex differentiation, forensic odontology

References

Vanrell JP. Odontologia legal e antropologia forense. Rio de Janeiro: Guanabara Koogan; 2002.

Arbenz GO. Medicina legal e antropologia forense. São Paulo:Atheneu; 1988.

Silva M. Compêndio de Odontologia Legal. 4. ed. Rio de Janeiro: Artes Médicas; 1997.

Bernstein M. Forensic odontology. In: Eckert WG. editor. Introduction to Forensic Sciences. 2nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRS Press; 1997, p. 304-51.

The Academy of Prosthodontics. The Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms. 7th ed. CV Mosby, 1999.

Thomas CJ, Kotze T. The palatal rugae pattern in Southern African human populations. Part I. A description of the populations and a method for its investigation. J Dent Assoc S Afr 1983;38:547-53.

Kapali S, Townsend G, Richards L, Parish T. Palatal rugae patterns in Australian Aborigines and Caucasians. Aust Dent J 1997;42:129-33.