Measurement of Cranial Capacity by CT Scan & Its Forensic Significance: A Multi Center Study

Abstract

Craniometry is the scientific measurement of the skull applied to anthropometry and in forensic practice. The present study was undertaken with the aim to measure the cranial capacity in unknown crania and to highlight its forensic significance. The present study was conducted on 68 dry human crania, which were collected from the Department of Anatomy & Department of Forensic Medicine from different medical colleges of Rajasthan. Gender of each crania was determined by the gross classic anatomic features and the age was determined by recording the fusion of the closure of the sutures and dentition. The 3D-CT-Scan images of the crania were taken by a high resolution CT scanner to measure the cranial capacity. Total 68 crania were studied at different centers of Rajasthan and we identified 38 male crania and 30 female crania belonging to the different age groups. The maximum and minimum endocranial capacity of male dry crania was found in age group 40–50 years and 1479.89±136.17 cc in 30–40 years age group respectively. The maximum and minimum endocranial capacity in female dry crania was found in 30–40 years and <30 years age group which was 1445.7±352.16 cc and 1229 cc respectively. CT scan is a better technique to measure the endocranial capacity of unknown crania and hence it can be more useful in identification of the unknown crania.