FORENSIC STUDY FOR DETERMINATION OF THE INCIDENCE OF PERSISTENT METOPIC (FRONTAL) SUTURE AND ITS RELATION TO AGE AND SEX AMONG SAMPLE OF EGYPTIAN SKULLS

Abstract

Introduction: At birth the frontal bone contains two portions, separated by the metopic (frontal) suture. Metopism is the condition of having a persistent metopic suture. Aim of the present study was to determine the incidence of persistence of metopic suture, their shape and its relation to age and sex in Egyptian human skulls. Material and Method: The study was conducted on 147 human dry skulls which belong to the museum of the department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University. The metopic sutures were classified as complete and incomplete types. Incomplete metopic sutures were divided into three groups as present in the lower part of the frontal bone, in the upper part and in the middle part. The incomplete lower metopic sutures were further subdivided into linear, ‘V’ shaped and ‘U’ shaped. Results: From this study, absence metopic sutures were observed in 84 (57.1%) skulls, while it was present in 63 (42.9%) ones. The complete metopic suture (metopism) was seen in 12 (8.2%) skulls and incomplete one in 51 (34.7%). Among the incomplete ones, linear, ‘U’ and ‘V’ shaped was found in 36 (24.5%), 9 (6.1%), and 6 (4.1%), respectively. All incomplete metopic sutures were found in the lower part of frontal bone, but no suture remnant was found in the upper and middle part of frontal bone. Incomplete lower V shaped metopic suture presented in all female skulls. There were statistical significant relation between absent, complete, incomplete lower linear and incomplete lower V shaped metopic suture regarding age. Also there was statistical significant relation between metopism regarding age and sex. There was sensitivity and specificity for both age and sex with metopic suture. Conclusion and recommendation: The incidence of metopism was 8.2% while incomplete metopic sutures were 34.7%. This incidence may be valuable information for identification of the person and for radiologists and neurosurgeons in practice to concern about metopic suture in emergency diagnosis of frontal bone fractures.