A substantiate comparative study of the mandibular canine index method of gender assessment using two decedent Maharashtra population

Abstract

Introduction: Mandibular Canine Index (MCI), indispensable tools of forensic odontology in gender determination of skeletal remains is a contributing part of anthropological, genetic, odontological, and forensic investigations as well as archaeological and medico-legal examinations. Aim & Objective: To compare the differences in odontometrics of mandibular canine between males and females of two different regions in Maharashtra. Method: Present study includes 60 individuals (15 male and 15 female subjects belonging to the Kolhapur region and 15 male and 15 female subjects belonging to the Mumbai region) having age group 21 to 28 years. The mesio-distal width of the right and left mandibular canine and intercanine distance were measured. Subsequently, standard MCI, intercanine distance, sexual dimorphism, and percentage accuracy in both regions were calculated. Result: Statistically highly significant variation was seen in mesio-distal width of mandibular canine in the left side of the population of both the regions as compared to the right side. Also, variation in intercanine distance was seen in females of both the population. There was no variation seen in MCI of both the population. The standard MCI was 0.24 for Mumbai and 0.25 for the Kolhapur population. Conclusion: As region, racial patterns, genetic and epigenetic factors indirectly affect MCI values, this technique can be used as one of the diagnostic adjuvant and reliable methods for gender determination in forensic dentistry.