A Study of Auricle Morphology for Identification in Indians

Abstract

Background: External ear is a significant feature for human face identification. Its size, shape and spatial location on human face are vital from aesthetic point of view. The knowledge of morphometry of normal human auricle and its symmetry is also required for the surgical resection. Aim: The aim of the current study was to estimate the morphometry of external ear and its anatomical landmarks with respect of identification. Methods: In the current, morphometric, cross sectional study was done on 400 Indian students (males = 200 and females = 200) of Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College and Research Centre.The parameters was analysed by using camera and adobe Photoshop software (version 7.0). The data was statistically analyzed by using student's t test. p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In our cohort, all parameters were higher in males except left lobular width, which was higher in females. The mean observation of the right and left ear length of males were 4.61± 0.41 cm, 4.54± 0.44 cm respectively, while in females were 3.68± 0.42 cm, 3.67±0.54 cm respectively. The mean value of the right and left ear width of males were 3.17±0.37 cm, 3.03±0.47 cm respectively, and while in females 2.57 ± 0.32 cm, 2.55±0.41 cm respectively. The mean value of the left right and left lobular length of males were 1.56±0.12 cm, 1.50± 0.19 cm and in females were 1.09± 0.13 cm, 1.08±0.13 cm respectively. The mean values of the right and left lobular width of males were 1.58± 0.26 cm, 1.51± 0.37 cm and in females were 1.53± 0.35 cm, 1.53±0.35 cm respectively. Free lobule = 88.5% and the attach lobule = 11.5% respectively. Conclusion: This study makes possible the identification of an individual such as race, sex and age whose identity is unknown. Medico legally it is considerable parameter for forensic investigation to optimize the crime.

Photoanthropometric Auricular Morphology for Identification in Southeast Nigerians

“…Total Ear Width Sexual dimorphism was observed in our present study (see Table 2) with the males having significantly higher TEW values than females at all angles (90 0 45 0 left and 45 0 right of both ears) (P<0.05). These findings concur with the findings of [15], [16], [11], [8], [17], [5], [8], [18].…”

“…In this study, right lobule index of males and females was found to be statistically higher (P < 0.05) compared to the left (see Table 3). This was similar to the findings of [15], [11], who reported that all parameters measured in their study were significantly larger and statistically significant on right side in both males and females. The comparison of different anthropometric parameters in relation to ear side using paired sample t-test showed that TLW is significant at 90 o , 45 o left, and 45 o right (P<0.05), the ear height was also significant at 45 o left (P<0.05).…”

“…This implies that females have a longer TLH than males at 90 0 , 45 0 left and 45 0 right of both ears which is in agreement with the study of [8], [17], [19], [20], who reported that the changes in size of lobule are mainly seen due to gravitational forces secondary to wearing of ornaments, earrings by females which impose additional weight on the ears, therefore further increasing ear length. However, some studies by [16], [15], [11] reported higher male mean LH. These differences could be specific to the geographical locations, environment, ethnic group, genetics, and ornamental inclinations of the male and female subjects employed in their studies.…”

“…• Each subject was asked to relax with both hands hanging beside the trunk. • Subjects were positioned on a line marked 100cm from the camera [11] Camera was moved to either side to have photo taken at 90 0 , 45 0 angles parallel to the subject to reduce possibility of Image perspective distortion due to poor positioning.…”

Statistical Analysis of Shape of Auricular Concha for Mass Customization of OTC Hearing Aids

“…Detailed information of the morphology, dimensions, location, and asymmetry of normal auricles is essential for diagnosing congenital abnormalities and syndromes, conducting forensic investigations, and ergonomically designing ear-related products (Coward et al, 2000;Purkait & Singh, 2007;Tatlisumak et al, 2015). Regardless of ethnicity, the literature shows that the mean dimensions of the auricle are larger in males than females, as evidenced by the numerous anthropometric studies that focus on the auricles of different ethnic groups, such as the Chinese (Liu, 2008;Wang et al, 2011;Yu et al, 2015;Zhu et al, 2017;Zhao et al, 2018;Fan et al, 2019), Koreans (Jung & Jung, 2003;Kang et al, 2006;Han et al, 2010;Lee et al, 2018), Malaysians (Kumar & Selvi, 2016), Indians (Purkait & Singh;Sharma et al, 2007;Purkait, 2013;Singhal et al, 2016), Sudanese Arabs (Ahmed & Omer, 2015), Italians (Russo, 1998;Ferrario et al,1999;Sforza et al, 2009), and Britons (Coward et al;Alexander et al, 2011). Moreover, it is worth noting that there are significant differences in the dimensions of the ears of those in different nations and of different ethnicities (for e.g., the Europeans have larger dimensions in comparison to Asians), thus suggesting that ear-related products for the Chinese population should not be designed based on the dimensions and shape of the ears of those who are not Chinese.…”