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Sex Estimation by Odontometric Study of the Maxillary Canine Teeth using Discriminant Function Analysis

Ibeachu Chinagorom P, Amasiatu Valentine Chidozie* and Amah Aperepikiya Tom

Sex estimation till date remains an importance if not the first step in any forensic investigation. The present study thus seeks to evaluate sexual dimorphism and estimate sex from the maxillary canine teeth of the University of Port- Harcourt Students. The study was carried out at the dental clinic of the University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital. A total of hundred (100) volunteer student subjects comprising 50 Males (M) and 50 Females (F) were involved in the study. An impression of upper jaw was made using alginate impression material and casts were prepared using dental stone. A 150mm digital venier caliper with 0.001mm accuracy was used to measure the following six (6) parameters [inter-canine width (ICW), Inter-premolar width (IPMW), Inter-molar width (IMW), Left and right maxillary width (LCCW, RCCW) and Maxillary depth (MD)]. Analysis was done using t-test and discriminant function analysis. The mean ICW (M = 41.70 ± 3.22 mm, F = 40.72 ± 2.64 mm), IMW (M = 60.432 ± 0.86 mm, F = 59.62 ± 0.38 mm) and MD (M = 20.875 ± 0.55 mm, F = 20.192 ± 0.36 mm) of males were statistically insignificant at P < 0.05 when compared to that of the females. However, the LCCW (M = 7.857 ± 0.07 mm, F = 7.417 ± 0.07 mm) and RCCW (M = 7.863 ± 0.07, F = 7.521 ± 0.06mm) as well as the IPMW (M = 55.113 ± 0.36mm, F = 53.098 ± 0.41 mm) statistically significant at P < 0.05, hence sexually dimorphic. A discriminant function equation [Sex = -19.533 + -0.096 (ICW) + 0.242 (IPMW) + -0.063 (IMW) + -0.029 (MD) + 1.197 (LCCW) + 0.731 (RCCW)] was derived for sex estimation with values tending towards -0.549 suggesting that the unknown individual is likely a female, while values tending towards 0.549 suggests a male. The findings made in the present study will however, play a substantive role in forensic investigation especially in the University of Port Harcourt.