Reveal the concealed – Morphological variations of the coronoid process, condyle and sigmoid notch in personal identification

Abstract

Abstract: Objective of the study The study was conducted to evaluate different morphological variations of the coronoid process, the condyle and the sigmoid notch using panoramic radiographs for personal identification. Materials and methods The study was carried out using 200 digital orthopantomographs (OPGs) comprised of both sexes; and the different shapes of the coronoid process, condyle and the sigmoid notch were traced on projection sheets for both the right and left sides and the data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Results The current study has illustrated various morphological shapes of the three selected entities and the most common shape of the coronoid process was observed to be triangular and that of sigmoid notch was the wider form. Whereas the condylar shape commonly observed among the males and females were angled and round shapes respectively. These variations when compared on both the sides had shown no statistical significance. Conclusion The present study has tried to unfold the unknown aspects pertaining to our ethnic group for identification of a person by means of panoramic radiographs. The results have exemplified that the variations in the morphology of the coronoid process, condyle and the sigmoid notch using panoramic radiography can tentatively be used as a screening tool in human identification owing to its ready availability in most of the hospital settings.