The Role of Palatal Rugae Pattern in Sex Identification in a Sample of Adults in Suez Canal Region, Egypt

Abstract

Introduction: Stablishing a person's identity in forensic identification can be a challenging task in mass catastrophic events where bodies are damaged beyond recognition. The most popular procedures employed in this context are dental, finger impressions, and DNA comparisons, which allow for quick and secure personal identification. Sex identification is an important step in personal identification. Palatal rugae are considered an ideal tool for forensic personal identification. They are proved to be population-specific. Study aim: To describe the rugae pattern and identify sex differences in rugae pattern in a sample of adults in Suez Canal region. Materials and methods: Descriptive study was conducted on 150 anonymous dental casts (75 males and 75 females) in the age group ranging from 18 to 35 years. Palatal rugae pattern based on their number, length, shape, direction, and unification as well as rugae dimensional measurements (transverse and anteroposterior distances on both right and left side) were examined in both sexes. Results: Primary rugae was the most frequent category and wavy pattern was most frequently seen. The predominant direction of palatal rugae was the forward direction, and the predominant unification was the converging palatal rugae. There was a significant difference detected between males and females in rugae unification as well as in the second right anterioposterior distance. Conclusion: Palatal rugae pattern contributes minimally to sex identification in the studied sample of adults in Suez Canal Region. Conduction of further similar studies with larger sample size, wider age range and in different geographical regions in Egypt is recommended to confirm the results of the present study.