Accuracy of digital panoramic system in sex identification using certain mandibular measurements

Abstract

Background: Identification of the skeletal and decomposing human remains is one of the most difficult skills inforensic medicine. The aim of the study were to evaluate the accuracy of digital panoramic system as quick, easyand reproducible supplement tool in sex identification using certain mandibular measurements in predicting sex.Material and method: The sample in the current study consisted of 280 Arabic Iraqi patients from both sexes and withage range from 20-60 years old divided in four groups .For each patient panoramic image was taken and thefollowing measurements were done with the aid of computer program “AutoCAD 2010”. 1. The distance from mentalto mandibular foramina.2. Intercondylar distance. 3. The distance between the mandibular foramina in bothsides.4.Mesiodistal width of each mandibular canines.5.Intercanines distance. The data were subjected to adiscriminant analysis using SPSS version 13Results: The various parameters measured for males and females when compared are statistically significantlydifferent. All mandibular measurements gave overall predictive accuracy of sex determination by discreminantanalysis (76.8%). The stepwise selection method gave overall predictive accuracy of sex determination bydiscreminant analysis (76.4%) .Age showed no statistical difference among the studied age groups.Conclusion: Panoramic measurements of mandible bone are useful to support sex determination in forensicradiographic odontology.