IADR Abstract Archives
Mandibular Basal-symphysis Morphometry in Forensics - A 3-Dimensional CBCT Study
Objectives:
Human identification by determination of age, sex, stature, ethnicity, etc. is a challenging task in forensic sciences. Mandibular basal symphysis is one of the anatomical structures that may be used as a landmark in forensic anthropology.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mandibular basal symphyseal morphometry in assessing the age and gender among Malaysian population.
Methods: Randomly selected 168 CBCT images of the mandible were analyzed for the mandibular basal symphyseal parameters such as the height, width and depth. They were assessed for sexual dimorphism and correlated with chronological age of the individuals. The variations with regards to ethnicity were also tested. Following correlation, a population specific equation was derived for age estimation using linear regression. The equation was further validated on a test sample of 30 CBCT images.
Results: When assessed for sexual dimorphism, the height of the mandibular basal symphysis showed a statistically significant difference between the two genders (p=0.02). The Pearson Correlation Coefficients (R value) between the three symphyseal parameters (height, width and depth) and chronological age were 0.171, 0.050 and 0.004 respectively. Among the three parameters, only the height showed a statistically significant, but a weak positive correlation (p= 0.027) in relation to age. The linear regression equation was validated on a test sample of 30 CBCT images. Different ethnical groups showed no variations in the symphyseal morphometry.
Conclusions: Based on our observations, we hypothesize that mandibular basal symphyseal height may be a useful parameter in forensic age and gender determination among Malaysian adults.
Human identification by determination of age, sex, stature, ethnicity, etc. is a challenging task in forensic sciences. Mandibular basal symphysis is one of the anatomical structures that may be used as a landmark in forensic anthropology.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mandibular basal symphyseal morphometry in assessing the age and gender among Malaysian population.
Methods: Randomly selected 168 CBCT images of the mandible were analyzed for the mandibular basal symphyseal parameters such as the height, width and depth. They were assessed for sexual dimorphism and correlated with chronological age of the individuals. The variations with regards to ethnicity were also tested. Following correlation, a population specific equation was derived for age estimation using linear regression. The equation was further validated on a test sample of 30 CBCT images.
Results: When assessed for sexual dimorphism, the height of the mandibular basal symphysis showed a statistically significant difference between the two genders (p=0.02). The Pearson Correlation Coefficients (R value) between the three symphyseal parameters (height, width and depth) and chronological age were 0.171, 0.050 and 0.004 respectively. Among the three parameters, only the height showed a statistically significant, but a weak positive correlation (p= 0.027) in relation to age. The linear regression equation was validated on a test sample of 30 CBCT images. Different ethnical groups showed no variations in the symphyseal morphometry.
Conclusions: Based on our observations, we hypothesize that mandibular basal symphyseal height may be a useful parameter in forensic age and gender determination among Malaysian adults.