Determination of sex using prints of palatal rugae.

Introduction: Establishing a person's identity is very important for medicolegal purposes. Forensic odontology is defined as a branch of dentistry which deals with the appropriate handling and examination of dental evidences with the proper evaluation and presentation of dental findings in the interest of justice. In recent times, palatal rugae are used for personal identification and sex determination. This study aims to determine the variation in the palatal rugae in males and females which can be used for forensic purposes. Materials and Methods: Dental stone preparation of the rugae of both males and females from Chennai, aged between 15 and 20, was done. The primary and secondary rugae pattern, shape, and length were studied using Thomas and Kotze classification. Results: The total number of rugae was found to be 422 (males - 230 and females - 192). The mean value of the total number of primary rugae in males (8.5) was found to be greater than that of females (7.3). The number of wavy-shaped rugae in males and females was found to be 122 and 90, respectively. The number of curve- shaped rugae in males and females was found to be 121 and 91, respectively. Of 422 rugae, only 2 rugae were found to be straight, and circle-shaped rugae were not found at all. Based on unification, of 422 rugae, 10 were divergent rugae and 5 were converging rugae. Conclusion: Thus, it is found that males have greater number of rugae when compared to females. The primary rugae are found in significantly in males than in females. In shapes, wavy and curvy shapes wereas common than straight and circle. Converging rugae were mostly found in females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]