Radiometric Evaluation of Mandibular Ramus for Gender Determination

Mandible (Lower jaw bone) plays an important role identification of unknown. Radiometric evaluation of mandibular bone can be used as a gender indicator. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the gender of any unknown skeletal remain with the help of mandibular bone. The study was conducted with the help of 147 panoramic radiographs collected from the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, PGIDS. The digital OPG were subjected to radiometric analysis of mandible using imaging  Photoshop, version CS6.The parameters used for the sex determination are given condylar height, coronoid height, bicondylar distance, maximum ramus height, minimum ramus height, mandibular body height, mandibular body length, gonial angle. In the present study, amongst all the assessed parameters bicondylar distance showed the highest degree of sexual dimorphism followed by coronoid height and condylar height. Conclusion: Mandibular bone can be used as a guide in determining the sex of an individual or any unknown dead body.