Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

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Prognathism as Race Appraisal Criterion in a Study of 60 Indian Crania of Known Sex Using Metric and Non-metric Modes - Assessment of Methodology


Affiliations
1 Department of Anatomy Pramukhswami Medical College Karamsad, Gujarat 388325, India
2 Department of Anatomy Maharishi Markhandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India
     

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Race assessment is one of the essential components in establishing identification of an individual from human skeletal remains. The skull stands out as the most reliable amongst skeleton for determining racial affinity, both morphologically and osteometrically. Inferring from observations related to morphological indicators depends largely upon the experience of the observer while adequate level of methodological standardization, is an essential precondition at the outset. Variability with regard to prognathism among members of all major racial groups is more a rule than exception. Assessment of race, using metric studies vis-à-vis morphological indicators was put to comparison and tested for reliability of methodology in the present study, subsequent to estimation of prognathism by both methods on skulls of 60 Indian individuals of known sex (30 of either). The prognathism was estimated (1) nonmetrically - by inspection using casts prepared and standardized by Australian National University and (2) metrically - by calculating Gnathic Index (as defined by Breathnach, 1965). The results of both studies revealed that of a total of 60 Indian skulls studied, 50 skulls were found to have orthognathic profile (Gnathic Index < 98) by Metric Study in contrast to Non-Metric Study where only 16 skulls showed 'Small' Grade prognathism. Subsequent to chi-square test, the difference between Metric and Non-Metric study was significant (X2 = 38.922559). Consequently it can be stated that determination of prognathism applying metric studies is superior in reliability compared to morphological indicators using casts.

Keywords

Craniometry, Race Determination, Gnathic-index, Human Identification.
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  • Prognathism as Race Appraisal Criterion in a Study of 60 Indian Crania of Known Sex Using Metric and Non-metric Modes - Assessment of Methodology

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Authors

Sumati
Department of Anatomy Pramukhswami Medical College Karamsad, Gujarat 388325, India
V. V. G. Patnaik
Department of Anatomy Maharishi Markhandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India

Abstract


Race assessment is one of the essential components in establishing identification of an individual from human skeletal remains. The skull stands out as the most reliable amongst skeleton for determining racial affinity, both morphologically and osteometrically. Inferring from observations related to morphological indicators depends largely upon the experience of the observer while adequate level of methodological standardization, is an essential precondition at the outset. Variability with regard to prognathism among members of all major racial groups is more a rule than exception. Assessment of race, using metric studies vis-à-vis morphological indicators was put to comparison and tested for reliability of methodology in the present study, subsequent to estimation of prognathism by both methods on skulls of 60 Indian individuals of known sex (30 of either). The prognathism was estimated (1) nonmetrically - by inspection using casts prepared and standardized by Australian National University and (2) metrically - by calculating Gnathic Index (as defined by Breathnach, 1965). The results of both studies revealed that of a total of 60 Indian skulls studied, 50 skulls were found to have orthognathic profile (Gnathic Index < 98) by Metric Study in contrast to Non-Metric Study where only 16 skulls showed 'Small' Grade prognathism. Subsequent to chi-square test, the difference between Metric and Non-Metric study was significant (X2 = 38.922559). Consequently it can be stated that determination of prognathism applying metric studies is superior in reliability compared to morphological indicators using casts.

Keywords


Craniometry, Race Determination, Gnathic-index, Human Identification.

References