title: Palatal Rugae Patterns as a Bioindicator for Forensic Identification in Kodava and Tibetan Populations of India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Palatal rugae are distinct to each individual and are highly specific to each individual as their fingerprints. Rugae pattern are specific to different racial groups making it convenient for population identification. Palatal rugae retain their shape throughout life and hence can be useful as an identification tool. The present study aimed at analyzing the differences in rugae pattern among Kodavas and Tibetan populations of Coorg, India and to examine if there was a difference in the rugae pattern between males and females within each group.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study comprised of 30 participants between 18 and 30 years of age, equally distributed between genders from each group. Examination of maxillary cast after tracing the rugae patterns was carried out. Rugae pattern was classified as "straight," "wavy," "curved," "circular" and "unification." Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 16 software. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was used for pairwise comparison of two populations. Mann-Whitney two-tailed test was used to test the difference between males and females.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that wavy pattern was highest for both the groups. Circular rugae were totally absent in both the groups. There was a significant difference between Kodavas (mean = 1.000) and Tibetans (mean = 0.13) for unification pattern (P = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Palatal rugae patterns can be used as a bioindicator for human identification.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Bharti Vidyapeeth Deemed University Dental College and Hospital, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Deeksha Kiran
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Bharti Vidyapeeth Deemed University Dental College and Hospital, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Sheetal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mali
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Bharti Vidyapeeth Deemed University Dental College and Hospital, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Hegde Deepak
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Divakar
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Bharti Vidyapeeth Deemed University Dental College and Hospital, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Patil
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Amit
authors.affiliation: Consulting Endodontist, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Edake
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dhairaysheel
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Bharti Vidyapeeth Deemed University Dental College and Hospital, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Unadkat
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Harsh
keywords: Kodavas; Tibetans; palatal rugae pattern; population identification