Sex and Stature Estimation from Odontometric Parameters in Eleme Ethnic Group in Rivers State of Nigeria
Sex and stature estimation are important criteria in identifying unknown human skeletal remains. The aim of the study is to generate predictive model for the estimation of sex and stature from odontometry parameters of Eleme ethnic group of Rivers State of Nigeria. This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 100 volunteers between the ages of 15 to 30 years (50 males and 50 females). The measured parameters were crown height (HT), maximum mesiodistal width (MD) and buccolingual dimension (BL) of the right maxillary and mandibular incisors, canines and premolars and height of the volunteers. The teeth were measured using a pair of sterile divider and electronic digital vernier caliper to the nearest 0.01mm and height was measured using stadiometer. SPSS software version 20.0 was used for statistical analysis. Discriminant function analysis was used to design a predictive model for sex and Multivariate Regression Analysis was used to design a predictive model for stature. The results showed that the mean values of all teeth variables were larger in males than in females except crown height of maxillary premolar 2 (CH5), crown height of mandibular incisor 1 (CH6), buccolingual and mesiodistal of mandibular incisor 2 (BL7, MD7) and crown height of mandibular premolar 2 (CH10). Discriminant Function Analysis showed that scores that predict male is 0.895 while -0.895 for female. Stepwise Discriminant Function Analysis showed maxillary canine to be the best predictor of sex followed by mandibular canine. Predictive model for sex identification was derived. Multivariate regression analysis showed significant (p < 0.05) correlation of height with all measured parameters and was used to derived equation for stature estimation. This study showed that the combination of the teeth could be used for sex and stature estimation.
Key Words: Odontometry, Sex prediction, Stature estimation, Mesiodistal, Buccolingual, Crown height, Eleme