ESTIMATING THE FACIAL HEIGHT AND WIDTH OF AN INDIVIDUAL FROM THE MESIODISTAL WIDTH OF INCISORS AND ITS CORRELATION WITH THE BITE MARKS
Author: B. Senthil Kumar, G.Panneer Selvi, Deepti Shastri
Category: Anatomy
Abstract:
Background: Maxillary central incisor is the widest tooth mesiodistally (MD) in comparison to mandibular central incisor. It is larger than the neighboring lateral incisor. Incisor has gender differences; the size of the maxillary central incisor (MCI) is usually larger in male than in female.
Objective: To estimate the facial height and width of an individual from the mesiodistal width of upper central incisors and its bite marks.
Materials & Methods: A total of 100 Malaysians and 100 Indians were included in the study, Mesiodistal width of upper central incisor, facial height and width were measured using sliding digital caliper. The bite mark MD width of upper central incisor was also taken from the same individual. The facial height and width values were estimated by Berry's biometric index.
Results: Actual facial height and width values are compared and analyzed with the estimated values. Estimated facial height and facial width from MD width of right upper central incisor is approximately equals the actual facial measurements of Indians. Estimated facial height and facial width from MD width of left upper central incisor is approximately equals the actual facial measurements of Malaysians.
Conclusion: The Study correlates the upper central incisor and facial measurements which helps to construct the face of an unknown suspected victim in Forensic investigation and to correlate the incisor and facial measurements of suspected victim from bite marks. This data's of this study can be used as an effective additional tool along with other forensic observations in finding the suspect.
