Gender Determination through Molecular Analysis of Pulp Tissue of Deciduous Teeth–A Study Using Polymerase Chain Reaction Technique

Abstract

Background: Accurate determination of gender from the skeletal remains has a significant role in the identification process. In conditions of extreme fragmentation, information from DNA plays a vital role in establishing the gender of the person and further contributes to personal identification. Method: Sixty sound and non-carious extracted deciduous teeth were grouped into three of 20 each. Group 1 was analyzed immediately after extraction. Group 2 and Group 3 were stored at room temperature for three months and Fifteen months respectively before subjecting them to PCR analysis. The X and Y chromosomes from each sample were amplified and compared with the actual gender of the person. Shapiro-Wilk test the independent sample t-test, paired t-test and the chi-square test were used to analyze the data obtained. Result: The mean DNA volume (mg/ml) obtained immediately after extraction was significantly more than that from the teeth stored at room temperature for 15 months. The PCR analysis did not show any significant difference between group 1 and group 3 (p=0.072). Statistically significant difference was observed, when the results of group 1 were compared with that of group 3. Conclusion: Gender could be conclusively determined from the samples analyzed immediately after extraction. The accuracy of gender determination decreased as the period of storage increased.