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535
Review Article
WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL
Maninder et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research
ISSN 2455-3301
AND MEDICAL RESEARCH
www.wjpmr.com WJPMR

SEX DETERMINATION IN FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY

1*
Dr. Maninder Kaur, 2Dr. Jyoti Mago, 3Dr. Amandeep Kaur, 4Dr. Jaspreet Kaur and 5Dr. Mandeep Kaur
Sahota
1
BDS, SKSS Dental College & Hospital, Ludhiana.
2
MDS, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, SKSS Dental College. & Hospital, Ludhiana.
3
BDS Intern, SKSS Dental College & Hospital, Ludhiana.
4,5
BDS, Deshbhagat Dental College & Hospital, Muktsar.

*Corresponding Author: Dr. Maninder Kaur

MDS, Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, SKSS Dental College. & Hospital, Ludhiana.

Article Received on 11/07/2016 Article Revised on 01/08/2016 Article Accepted on 22/08/2016

ABSTRACT
Forensic odontology has been a vital part in investigation and presenting any dental evidence in criminal cases,
mass disasters etc. Currently it has been recognized as an important tool in sex determination as well. The current
article describes various methods such as visual or clinical methods, microscopic methods and advanced methods
which help in sex determination. Further, it highlights importance of forensic odontology such as low cost,
simplicity and quick method when used as forensic tool.

KEYWORDS: Forensic odontology, Sex determination, Amelogenin.

INTRODUCTION METHODS OF SEX DETERMINATION

Keiser Neilson defined forensic odontology asthat
branch of forensic medicine which in the interest of
justice deals with the proper handling and examination of
dental evidence and with the proper evaluation and
presentation of the dental findings.[1] It involves the
processing, review, evaluation and representation of
dental evidence with the purpose of imparting scientific
and objective data in legal processes. Currently, forensic
odontology has a vital role in modern investigations such
as identification of people in natural disasters, accidents
or in cases where victims body cannot be recognized by
visual methods.[2] This is attributed to the fact that the
natural teeth serves as most durable material for forensic
investigations as it is not destroyed by burns or even in
dead. Further, tooth contains dental pulp which is one of
the main reservoirs of the DNA. Due to these features, it
is widely accepted aid in identification in the forensics.
HISTORICAL REVIEW
The use of teeth as evidence is not recent. There are
historical reports of identification by recognizing specific
dental features. However, Forensic Odontology as
science, did not appear before 1897 when Dr.Oscar
Amoedo wrote his doctoral thesis entitled L Art
Dentaire en Medicine Legale describing the utility of
dentistry in forensicmedicine with particular emphasis on
identification.[3]
Various features of teeth like morphology, crown size,
root length etc. are characteristics for male and female
sex. Based on these features various methods are
provided such as-
1. Visual method or clinical method
2. Microscopic methods
3. Advanced methods
Visual or Clinical Methods- It is further subdivided into
various sections.
a) Sex differences in tooth size.
Teeth may be used for differentiating sex by measuring
their mesiodistal and buccolingual dimensions.[4] Among
all, mandibular canines show greatest dimensional
difference with larger teeth in males than in females.[5]
b) Sex determination using canine dimorphism.
Permanent canine teeth and their arch width contribute to
sex identification through dimorphism by measuring
their linear dimensions such as mesiodistal width,
buccolingual width and inciso-gingival height.[6]
Garn et al. in 1973 studied sexual dimorphism by
measuring the mesiodistal width of canine teeth in
different ethnic groups. They concluded that the
magnitude of canine teeth sexual dimorphism varies
among different ethnic groups. Furthermore, the
mandibular canine showed a greater degree of sexual
dimorphism than the maxillary canine.[7] Rao et al in
1988 conducted a study and reported 88% accuracy of

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Maninder et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research

sex identification by using this method. He further ADVANCED METHODS

concluded that the crown length was less significant in
a) Sex determination using PCR
establishing sex identity.[8]
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method of
amplifying small quantities of relatively short target
c) Root length and crown diameter
sequences of DNA using sequence-specific
Radiogrammetric measurements on mandibular
oligonucleotide primers and thermostable Taq DNA
permanent teeth can result in sex determination with
polymerase.[13] The dental pulp enclosed by the hard
80% accuracy by measuring root length and crown
tissue is not influenced by temperature, thus used for
diameter.[4]
PCR. A procedure utilizing chelax 100, chelating resin
was adapted to extract DNA from dental pulp.
d) Dental index
ATCHISON presented the incisor index=
Hanaoka et al conducted a study to determine sex from
[MDI2/MDI1]* 100 where.
blood and teeth by PCR amplification of X and Y
MDI2- maximum mesiodistal diameter of maxillary
specific sequences in males and Y specific sequences in
lateral incisor
females.[14] Sivagami and co-workers in 2000 prepared
MDI1-maximum mesiodistal diameter of maxillary
DNA from teeth by ultrasonication, and subsequent PCR
central incisor[9]
amplification, they obtained 100 per cent success in
MANDIBULAR CANINE INDEX- [Mean mesiodistal
determining the sex of the individual.[15]
canine dimension +(mean m-d canine dimension in
female + S.D)/28
b) Sex determination from enamel protein
AMELOGENIN or AMEL is a major matrix protein
e) Odontometeric differences
found in human enamel. It has a different signature (size
and pattern of nucleotide sequence) in male and female
f) Tooth Morphology and Sexing
enamel. The AMEL gene that encodes for female
According to Scott and Turner, the Distal Accessory
amelogenin is located on X Chromosome and the AMEL
Ridge, a nometric feature on the canine is the most
gene that encodes for male amelogenin is located on Y
sexually dimorphic crown trait in the human dentition.
Chromosome. The female has two identical AMEL
He concluded that males show significantly higher
genes, whereas the male has two different AMEL genes.
frequencies of distal accessory ridge than the females.
Rao and Rao concluded by their study that mandibular
Significance of teeth in sex determination- Crowns of
first molar which has four cusps in which the disto-
permanent teeth are formed at an early stage and their
buccal cusp is absent in a south indian population were
dimensions remain unchanged during further growth and
higher in females as compared to males.
development, except in cases when specific changes and
disorders in terms of functionality, pathology and
Teeth are potential source of information on sex. Sex
nutrition can have affect on the normal dimensions of a
determination using dental features is primarily based
tooth. Because of that odontometric features teeth can be
upon the comparison of tooth dimensions in males and
used in determining sex after the tooth has erupted even
females.
in children whose osseous features of the sex are not yet
defined.
MICROSCOPIC METHODS
a) Sex determination using Barr Bodies Chromosomes responsible for the sexual difference are
Sex can also be determined by the study of X or Y in direct connection to growth and development of
chromosomes in the cells which are not undergoing teeth. Alvesalo and Tammisalo in 1981, Alvesalo et al in
active division and it can be studied from blood, skin 1985 and in 1987 found that the Y chromosome increase
biopsy, buccal smears, hair root sheath and tooth pulp. X the mitotic potential of the tooth germ. It induces
Chromatin and intranuclear structure is also known as dentinogenesis, while the X chromosome induces
Barr body. It is present as a mass usually lying against amelogenesis.
the nuclear membrane in the females.[10]
The research performed by Stroud et al in 1994 showed
In a study done by Nirmal Das et al in 2004, it has been that males have larger mesiodistal diameter of single
shown that up to a period of four weeks after death we teeth which is due to a thicker dentin layer.
can determine the sex accurately from the study of X &
Y chromosomes keeping in view the variation of CONCLUSION
temperature and humidity.[11] Wittaker and the co-
The current article highlights the significance of
workers determined the sex from necrotic pulp tissue
odontometric features in sex determination. The main
stained by Quinacrine mustard using fluorescent Y
advantages in using odontometric features in sex
chromosome test. It was positive for maleness. He
determination are simplicity, speed and low cost while
further claimed that up to 5 weeks sex determination can
the greatest disadvantage is the possibility of mistake in
be do with high degree of accuracy.[12]
the cases where the normal dimensions of teeth is

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Maninder et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research

altered. This includes abrasion of the incisal, occlusal

and approximal surfaces which are very common in
ancient people. Further, it also describes various methods
for the same.

REFRENCES
1. Keiser-Neilsen S. Bristol: John Wright and Sons;
1980. Person Identification by Means of Teeth.
2. Sopher I.M. Forensic Dentistry, Charles Thompson
Co, 1976; 156.
3. Adams BJ. Establishing personal identification
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4. Shafer, Hine, Levi. Shafers text book of oral
pathology, 5th edition, Elsevier., 2006.
5. Dayal PK. Textbook of Forensic Odontology, first
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6. Anderson DL, Thompson GW. Inter relationships
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measurements. J. Dent. Res., 1973; 52: 431-438.
7. Garn SN, Lewis AB, Swindler DR and Kerewsky
RS. Genetic control of sexual dimorphism in tooth
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Mandibular canine in establishing sex identity.
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