A comparative assessment for gender determination using mandibular linear osteometric measurements and localization of inferior alveolar canal using CBCT: A retrospective study

Background: One of the most difficult challenges for forensic physicians has been the identification and gender determination of unidentified human skeletal remains. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the efficiency of linear osteometric measures of the mandible using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in gender determination. Methods: This retrospective study involved the evaluation of 80 CBCT images of the South Indian population aged between 20 and 60 years. The distance between the anterior mandibular foramen (AMaF) and posterior mandibular foramen (PMaF) was localized in the axial section, the distance between the superior mental foramen (SMeF) and inferior mental foramen (IMeF) was localized in the coronal section, and the distance of superior, inferior, buccal, and lingual inferior alveolar canal (LIAC) was localized in the coronal section. All the measurements were evaluated by two qualified and experienced radiologists to assess their reliability. Descriptive analysis, logistic regression, and receiver operating curve were statistically analyzed. Results: Six of the eight linear osteometric measurements were found to be statistically significant among the two genders. The mean measurements except for AMaF were found to be statistically significant in males. Regression analysis suggested a logistic function with a concordance index of 66.7%. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that the best predictor for gender determination (ranked from highest to lowest predictor) was the PMaF, SMeF, IMeF, inferior inferior alveolar nerve canal, superior inferior alveolar nerve canal, and lingual inferior alveolar nerve canal.