Investigating palatal rugae diversity – a comparative analysis of Bilaspur and Nagpur regions

Forensic odontology plays a key role in person identification in case of mass disasters, criminal investigations, and ethnicity studies, and in identifying decomposed and disfigured bodies, fire victims, and victims of motor vehicle accidents. Rugoscopy is an important specialty, which has been an area of interest for many forensic odontologists. As palatal Rugae are present in all victims and resistant to change (aging, trauma, and so forth) so they act as an ideal for identification. Palatal Rugae are also named Plicae Palatinae transverse or Rugae Palatine. The Palatal Rugae are generally transverse ridges placed in the anterior part of the palatine mucosa. Palatal Rugae are resistant to thermal effects (heat and burn) and decomposition changes because of their internal position in the head. They are used in cases where dental identification is not possible and in patients where other body parts are burnt or decomposed.: Aim of the study is to identify and analyze different patterns of palatal rugae and gender differences in Bilaspur and Nagpur populations. : This study will include a total of 80 dental casts — 40 males and 40 females.: The analysis of palatal rugae concerning the number of rugae, shape, length, and unification will be done.