title: Determination of the biometric characteristics of palatine rugae patterns in Uttar Pradesh population: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Identification is the establishment of identity of an individual. The basis of dental identification is based on the observation that no two individuals can have same dentition. Palatal rugae are irregular, asymmetric ridges of the mucous membrane extending laterally from the incisive papilla and the anterior part of the palatal raphe. The location of palatal rugae inside the oral cavity confers them with stability even when exposed to high temperatures or trauma. Their resistance to trauma and their apparent unique appearance has suggested their use as a tool for forensic identification.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To record the biometric characteristics of shape, size, direction, number and position of palatal rugae and analyze whether palatal rugoscopy can be used as a tool for personal identification and for sex determination.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 100 subjects (50 males, 50 females) between 18 and 25 years. Maxillary impressions were made with elastomeric impression material and dental stone was used to make models. The palatal rugae patterns were traced and analyzed with a magnifying hand lens. The biometric characteristics of number, size, shape, and direction were analyzed using Thomaz and Kotz classification (1983). The casts were coded to blind the examiners about the identity of the subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Unpaired t-test and one-way ANOVA using SPSS 19.0 statistical program for Windows.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average number of rugae was slightly more in females. Wavy (44.9%) and curved (41.8%) shapes were more prevalent. Maximum number of rugae was found in E quadrant (40.73%). The average size was 9.221 mm. Most rugae were forwardly directed in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study concluded that rugae pattern are highly individualistic and can be used as a supplementary method for personal identification and sex determination. Further inter-observer and intra-observer variability were not found to be significant, which further validates the use of rugoscopy as a forensic tool.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, D. J. College of Dental Sciences and Research, Modinagar,Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Harjeet Kaur
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Sekhon
authors.forename: Keya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sircar
authors.forename: Sanjeet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Deepti
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jawa
authors.forename: Priyanka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001699:Biometry; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D055815:Young Adult