The effects of gender and age on forensic personal identification from frontal sinus in a Turkish population

Abstract

Objectives:To define the dimensions of the frontal sinus in groups standardized for age and gender and to discuss the reasons and the effects of the variations.Methods:Frontal sinus measurements were obtained from paranasal CT scans of 180 males and 180 females in the Radiology Department of Dursun Odabas Medical Center of Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, which is located in Eastern Turkey, between February and March 2016. The width and height of sinuses were measured on a coronal plane, and the anteroposterior length was measured on an axial plane. Volumes were calculated using the Hospital Information Management Systems and Image Archiving and Management System program. The Statistical Package of the Social Science version 13 was used for statistical analyses.Results:We determined differences in the frontal sinus measurements of different age groups in a Turkish adult population. Frontal sinus dimensions were usually higher in females and lower in males after 40-49 years of age than their younger counterparts, but the measurements were lower in females and higher in males in 70≤ years of age group than 60-69 years of age. Left frontal sinus was dominant in young age groups but right frontal sinus was dominant in groups 40-49 years of age or older.Conclusion:We observed crossing of the measurements between the different age groups, which we could not find clear explanations. The results of such studies may affect forensic identification from frontal sinus measurements.

Morphometric Evaluation of Frontal and Maxillary Sinuses and Bizygomatic Distance of Igbos In South-East and Ogonis in South-South Nigeria Using Computerized Tomography Scan

“…This is similar to other reports [5,10,[23][24][25][26][27][28] but contrary to study by Ariji et al which reported no significant difference between the genders [21]. Our study shows that generally, the left FS has higher dimensions than the right which is similar to other reports [29][30][31][32], but in contrast to another study done in India in which the right FS has higher values [27]. Furthermore, this study shows a positive correlation between left FS height and age.…”

The Relationships Between Craniofacial Structure and Frontal Sinus Morphology: Evaluation With Conventional Anthropometry and CT-Based Volumetry

“…20 A recent study from the same group reported that FS size in females increased with age, whereas FS size in males decreased after the age of 50 years. 36 Regardless of age and gender, we found that FS morphology does not progress in the same direction as craniofacial structure development.…”

Imaginological exams of the frontal sinus in human identification

“…In addition, the age of the sample was also a determining factor for effective identification, since the final configuration of the frontal sinuses is only reached after the age of 20. 20 However, Tatlisumak et al 29 explored the pattern of frontal sinus configuration according to age, based on the belief that the frontal sinuses continue to expand to a later age, due to other factors and the influence of mechanical chewing factors. 32 In this case, it was agreed that there is a decrease in the frontal sinus area from the age of 70 years old, 29 but from the analysis performed, it was observed that the authors concluded that new studies need to be performed with less limited samples and looking at different backgrounds.…”

“…Regarding the type of image exam selected, it was verified that more than half of the studies used PA (posteroanterior) radiography. [14][15][16][17]19,20,22,[26][27][28][29][30] Thus, it was noted that conventional extraoral radiography is still the most viable and most used in the research, also emphasizing the increasing use, but still at a smaller scale, of threedimensional imaging resources, such as concomitant computed tomography. 10,13,18 In relation to the methodologies and identification parameters of the frontal sinus, the largest number of analyzes used both quantitative and morphological parameters.…”

“…Among all the parameters used to measure and classify the frontal sinuses, height and width were widely used to obtain asymmetry indices. 10,14,15,19,21,26,28,30 In addition to asymmetry, depth values, 21 volume 10,21,29 , and the anteroposterior diameter of the frontal sinuses 25,29 were repeated in several articles from the present analysis.…”