PALATINE RUGAE PATTERN AS A TOOL FOR GENDER IDENTIFICATION
Rizki Tanjung, Intan farizka, Giovanna Joan Widjaja, Namiera Tanaya Mustofa

Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Trisakti

Abstract

Background : Indonesia is a country that is prone to natural disaster because of its geographical. Based on this information, forensic knowledge is important to help identify the victims. One alternative to identify the gender of the victim is by their palatine rugae. Palatine rugae is an asymmetrical and unorganized ridge from mucous membrane that elongated laterally from incisive papillae and anterior part from palatal raphe media. It is known that each individual has different palatine rugae morphology. Aim : The purpose of this study was to determine differences in palatine rugae patterns according to the Thomas Kotze classification between men and women for the importance of gender identification. Method : This study was an observational analytic study with 124 subjects (each 62). Subject^s upper jaw upper jaw was molded using impression material and traced using a mechanical pencil to determine the shape of the palatine rugae. Statistical analysis were performed using the Chi-Square test. Results : There was a significant differences in palatine rugae patterns (p<0,05) between men and women in the left side area B, left side area C, left side area E, right side area B, right side area C, and right side area D. However there was no significant differences in the left side area D and right side area E (p>0,05). While in A area both left and right no results were found. Conclusion : This study proves that there are significant differences in the palatine rugae pattern between men and women.

Keywords: palatine rugae, gender, identification

Topic: Dental Sciences