The forensic analysis of human canine teeth for gender determination

Abstract

Identification of the deceased is an important aspect in forensic dentistry, particularly in cases of unusual circumstances. Gender determination on the deceased may be achieved by analysis on teeth due to identify differential sexual dimorphism corresponding to a specific gender. The study focused on measuring the width of canine teeth between Malaysian male and female human subjects using a divider caliper the mandibular canine index (MCI) method according to the MCI method. The MCI method calculates the ratio value of maximum crown over the width at mesio-distal (MD) and inter-canine width. Random sampling was performed in several dentistry clinics in Pontian, Skudai and Senai, whereby measurements on intraoral and dental casting on 100 males and 100 females were performed. Statistical analysis of one-sample t-test and descriptive analysis found patients both male and female gave higher significant differences of the MCI value. Male demonstrated larger volume of RMCI and LMCI than standard MCI as compared to the female. It was noted that the percentage of sexual dimorphism was significantly different in male, as much as 4.88% but only 1.52% in female. Interestingly, the size of the right mandibular canine showed greater variety between both genders as compared to the one on the left for both methods. The study discovered that male and female subjects were distinguishable by the width of their mandibular canine. The male exhibited width of > 0.7 cm, whereas the female was < 0.7 cm. Age factor had a relatively insignificant effect on the MCI while the size of canine teeth was inconclusive. Hence, it can be concluded that the MCI method is applicable for gender determination.