Palatoscopy and odontometrics' potential role in sex determination among an adult Egyptian population sample: A pilot study.

Background: Sex determination is the first step in personal identification in the forensic field. This study aimed to evaluate sexual dimorphism by using palatal rugae pattern and odontometrics, construct an Egyptian equation for sex determination using the discriminant function analysis. Participants and methods: The study sample included 200 participants of both sexes. Maxillary arch impressions were taken with alginate impression material using stainless steel impression tray. Identification and measurements were done to study the palatal rugae pattern, dental arch dimensions, and maxillary canine. Results: There was a highly statistically significant difference between males and females with higher male values regarding the total palatal rugae number, wavy rugae number, primary rugae number, arch length, width, maxillary canine right width, maxillary canine left width, intercanine distance, and maxillary canine right index while there was a highly statistically significant difference with higher female value regarding the straight rugae numbers. Four Egyptian equations were constructed using discriminant function analysis to determine the sex of an unidentified person. Conclusions: Palatal rugae pattern, dental arch dimensions, and maxillary canine index can be considered as useful tools for sex determination in the forensic field.