Cranio-mandibular parameters of lateral cephalometric radiograph to determine sex in forensic investigations: An electronic search study

Skeletal components play a significant role in sex determination in forensic investigation. The skull is considered second best, after the pelvis, in determination of sex. Methods based on morphological characteristics and morphometry are already in use with reasonable accuracy. Standardized radiographic techniques like cephalometry have advantages of being more precise and objective when compared to morphologic methods. The present electronic search study was to evaluate the importance of cranio-mandibular parameters of lateral cephalometric radiograph to determine sex in forensic investigation. In this study an electronic literature search was performed for articles and books published between January 1962 and December 2014. As a result, only 40 literatures were found, out of which only 14 publications (12 articles and 2 book) were relevant to the searched topic. To conclude, this study has shown that the cranio-mandibular parameters of lateral cephalogram plays an important role in determining sex for forensic investigation and diagnosis.