PALATAL RUGAE PATTERN IN GENDER IDENTIFICATION - A FORENSIC STUDY

Background: Palatal rugae pattern is reasonably unique to an individual and remain stable throughout lifetime. It can serve as important tool in forensic identification particularly when other regular methods of become difficult.Aim: To evaluate the palatal between both gender terms Number, Shapes Length on right left sides among different age groups.Materials methods: Cross-sectional study comprising 60 patients which were divided into four groups according their age. Each consisted 15 participants whom 30 males females. All meeting inclusion exclusion criteria randomly selected alginate impressions hard palate taken casted by dental stone. The data assessed based Thomas Kotze classification (1983) patterns delineated using sharp graphite pencil under adequate light analysed macroscopically.Statistical analysis: obtained values Student’s t- test for evaluation difference ANOVA was applied determination SPSS version 20.0 software.Results: side showed higher prevalence curved females than finding statistically significant. mean number a slight decreasing trend with increasing more size slightly increased up till middle group, growth ceases thereafter.Conclusion: present reveals significant pattern. Thus, appear possess features ideal parameters such uniqueness, postmortem resistance stability, provided antemortem record exists.