Sexual Dimorphism in Adult Human Mandible of North Indian Origin

Abstract

Background: In forensic science the identification of a human is based on three important factors: Age, Sex and Stature. Bones are an important tool for it and among human bones the pelvis and the skull are the most reliable source for sex determination. In the absence of complete pelvis, mandi-ble becomes the important source for sex determination since mandible is the most durable and movable part of skull that can resist postmortem changes. The present study is conducted to assess the accuracy and role of few metric and morphological parameters in determination of the sex of dry adult human mandible of North Indian origin. Material & Methods: The Study is conducted on 50 dry intact human adult mandibles of North Indian origin. The metric parameters i.e. bigonial breadth, bicondylar breadth are measured with a Vernier Calliper by two observers. Non-metric parameters being observed are the morphological features like gonion flaring, muscular markings and shape of angle of symphysis menti. Result & Conclusion: It is concluded that bigonial breadth and bicondylar breadth exhibit the sexual dimorphism. Morphological Parameters: Gonion flaring, muscular markings and shape of angle of symphysis menti also demonstrate the sexual dimorphism. These parameters taken together may determine the sex of adult human mandibles. The present study shows that the mandible is an important tool in the determination of gender with high accuracy.