Sex determination by using mandibular ramus: A digital radiographic study

Identification of human skeletal remains an important step during mass disasters, from decayed and damaged dead bodies.[1] In forensic investigations and in medicolegal cases, identification of sex is an important aspect, followed by age determination. It depends on availability of human skeletal remains. When the entire skeleton is present, identification of age and sex can be done with accurately. However, in mass disasters, complete human skeletal remains cannot be available. Hence, it depends on availability of bony fragments.[2] In human remains, pelvis and skull are the important human skeletal remains for sex determination.[2] When intact skull is absent and only fragments of skull bones are present, then mandible plays an important role in gender determination. Among all the bones of skull, mandible is the largest, strongest, and movable part of the skull.[1,2] Due to compact bone which is very dense, they are most durable and well preserved than many other bones.[1,2] Masticatory forces exerted by males and females are different. These forces influence the sexual dimorphism in mandible.[3] To get an overview, currently, rotational panoramic radiography has become a routine procedure in dental and medical hospitals. To get an overview of maxillofacial complex, nowadays, rotational panaromic radiography is widely used.[4] Identification of the human remains is done by comparing anteand post-mortem radiographs. The main aim of the study is to determine sex using mandibular ramus by considering all the parameters