Forensic importance of maxillary sinus in gender determination: A morphometric analysis from Western Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Abstract Background: The study of anthropometric characteristics is of fundamental importance to solve problems related to identification. Craniometrical features are included among these characteristics, which are closely connected to forensic dentistry. Radiography is used in forensic for the identification of humans especially in cases where the body is decomposed, fragmented, or burned. Radiology can assist in giving accurate dimensions for which certain formulae can be applied to determine the gender. It has been reported that maxillary sinuses remain intact, although the skull and other bones may be badly disfigured in victims who are incinerated and therefore, that maxillary sinuses can be used for identification. Aim: This study has been carried out to check the accuracy and reliability of maxillary sinus in gender determination using morphometric parameters. Materials and Methods: Lateral cephalogram of 50 subjects (25 males and 25 females) were taken and morphometric parameters of maxillary sinus were analyzed using AutoCAD 2010 software (Autodesk, Inc.). Results: The mean area and perimeter of maxillary sinus in males was 1.7261 cm2 and 5.2885 cm whereas, the mean area and perimeter in females was 1.3424 cm2 and 4.3901 cm. In-group centroids if someone′s discriminant function (DF) score is close to 0.838 then the subject are supposed to be male. Whereas, those having DF score closer to −0.838 are supposed to be females. DF analysis showed that, 76% of the original grouped cases were correctly classified. Hence, the overall sensitivity and specificity was found to be 80% and 72%. Conclusion: It can be concluded that morphometric analysis (area and perimeter) of maxillary sinus using AutoCAD 2010 software can assist in gender determination.