Contribution of teeth in human forensic identification - Discriminant function sexing odontometrical techniques in Portuguese population

We investigate the accuracy of odontometric methods in sex determination, using a sample from the Portuguese population. Measurements were made on dental casts using a digital caliper, and various odontometric indexes have been defined using upper incisor and canine teeth. Comparison of the means in both sexes was performed using Student's t-test. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in all variables except for the Incisor Index. The canine showed the greatest sexual discriminant characteristics. In the presence of one or both canines the distobuccal-mesiolingual crown diameter and the Robustness Value allowed discrimination between sexes in the studied population. We also provide further arguments on the debate on whether sex determination is population specific. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.