DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i04.025

Pages: 1732-1738

Sex determination with the aid of skeletal still remains a problem to forensic experts particularly when parts of the body are mutilated or decomposed; thus, to limit this difficulty various techniques are on trial for accuracy. The aim of the study is to investigate the existence of sexual dimorphism in the Ikwerres ethnic group of Nigeria by simple odontometric analysis of dental cast. A total of 297 normal dental cast of adult subjects consisting of 147 males and 150 females between ages 20-45 years of Ikwerre descent were used for the study. Seven (7) arch dimensions were measured using a 150mm digital vernier caliper calibrated to 0.00mm and the arch index calculated. Sex difference were tested using unpaired t-test, and discriminant function analysis (DFA) developed using SPSS version 20.The present study showed that the males displayed higher mean values than the females in all measured parameters; this observed difference was significant for MM1 (t=2.405, P=0.018) and PM1 (t=2.359, P=0.02) but not for other five variables (AC1, PC1, CC1, TPL and TPD; p>0.05). The DFA for group membership prediction model when tested with the present data derived a significant ‘F’ likelihood ratio test (P=0.009), a Wilks' Lambda predictability value of 0.866 having a model accuracy of 63.9% with a better prediction for female (68%) than males (59.6%).Arch dimensions are not static as they change systematically during the period of intensive growth and development (age variability)..Although discriminant function analysis successfully predicted 64% of data into groups (sex) and the prediction statistically significant; however a 63.9% predictability into group membership seems quite low. This indicates that the use of odontomery alone may not be effective for sex differentiation.