Palatal rugoscopy among Puducherry population.

BACKGROUND Human identification is one of the most challenging subjects that man has been confronted with. The fingerprints and DNA comparison are the most commonly used techniques in human identification. Palatoscopy is one of the recently developing methods to identify a victim-based on the palatal rugae pattern. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to analyze the different rugae pattern in Puducherry population and to find whether palatoscopy is a useful tool in human identification and sex determination. MATERIALS AND METHODS The studies consist of 100 male and female patients between the age group of 20 to 35 years. The rugae pattern was divided assessed based on Kotze classification. Chi-square test and one-way analysis was used to study the statistical significance. RESULTS Wavy pattern appeared to be the most predominant pattern followed by curved, straight, branched and circular pattern in both male and female patients. The shape and number of rugae pattern is similar in male and females. CONCLUSION The present study concludes that wavy pattern appear to be most common rugae pattern among Puducherry population. No significant difference in rugae pattern was noted among the male and female group. Rugae pattern is unique to each individual and can be an effective tool in human identification.