Identification of Gender from Dimensions of Palate

Abstract

Determination of deceased sex is first step in skeletal analysis since estimation of age, race, and stature depends on sex of deceased. Total 100 adult human skulls (50 male and 50 female) available in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology and Department of Anatomy of M. R. Medical College and K. B. N. Medical College Gulbarga, Karnataka are studied. The demarking point (D.P.) and identification point (I.P.) of both measurements were calculated and then percentage of bones identified by D.P. and I.P. was recorded. Though, the Demarking Point of a single parameter may not identify sex in all the bones but the accuracy is nearly 100% in the bones, which are identified. Percentage of skulls identified by IP of palatal breadth in males is more as compared to palatal length where as identification from DP is equal. Percentage of skulls identified by IP and DP of palatal length in females is more as compared to palatal breadth. So palatal length gives better prediction of sex as compared to palatal breadth in case of females where as in case of males palatal breadth is better predictor of sex.