Age and sex determination on skulls without mandible and design of appropriate mandible intended for facial reconstruction: Retrospective study

The identification of an unidentified individual is one of the duties of forensic sciences. The age, gender and ethnicity are estimated in order to determine the anatomical profile of the individual in identifying the unrecognizable human remains obtained. One of the methods of identification is to reveal the probable face of the individual by covering the skull with clay or a similar substance in accordance with gender, age and ethnicity. This technique, called as facial reconstruction can also be done in computerized environments. Completing the missing parts of the skull takes place in facial reconstruction. The fragmented pieces are completed by taking into account the existing side with the mirror method technique. However, in some cases, the skull and mandible cannot be obtained together. In this case, facial reconstruction of the skull without a mandible becomes a serious problem. The aim in our thesis study is to design the mandible suitable for the anatomic structure of the skull by first determining the age group and gender of the skull for skulls without mandible. Our thesis study was carried out on three-dimensional computed tomography images provided in Bursa Uludağ University Radiology Department. Individuals were divided into five age groups considering tooth and bone development. Our study was conducted on the images of 282 patients. 23 variables on the mandible and 54 variables on the skull were examined. SPSS 20.0 was performed for the developing the regression formulas, discriminant function analysis, descriptive and comparative statistics. Comparative and descriptive statistical findings between sexes and age groups are presented in tables. Discriminant function analyzes were performed for age group and gender determination. Regression formulas were developed for the design of the mandible suitable for the skull anatomy for all age groups and genders. Regression formulas that are valid for all groups were developed on behalf of individuals whose age determination was not determined. We believe that our thesis will be useful for forensic scientists and anthropologists with the regression formulas that will design the mandible suitable for the anatomy of the skulls without the mandible and age group determination by discriminant analysis method with morphometric data.