Biometric pattern of the upper dental arch as a method of personal identification in sample of Mexican children

Abstract Background Biometric anatomical structures are biological attributes of human beings, and can be classified for the purpose of personal identification. The oral cavity features unique, immutable and perennial identification data that have great potential to be applied as a method of personal identification of children. The purpose of this research is to determine the biometric pattern of the dental arch shape; incisive papilla; type of palatine raphe; the type, shape, and location of the palatine rugae; and their correlations with an individual's sex. Results The types of arches showed similar distribution patterns in both sexes, and ovoid arches were the most frequent (54.0%), without significant differences between sexes (p = 0.321). Regarding the incisive papilla, pear shapes were the most common for both sexes (37.0%), again with no statistically significant differences (p = 0.858). There was no association between sex and the type of palatine raphe (p = 0.825), and the most common for both sexes were temporary second molars (48.5%) and an absent raphe (19.5%). The distribution of palatine rugae showed a significant difference, as they were more commonly absent in zone 4 among females than males (p = 0.022). Conclusions There were no statistically significant sex differences in the morphology of dental arch, incisive papilla, or type of palatal raphe. Although these structures are anatomically differentiable, the results imply that they would not be sufficiently distinct for use in sex determination for children. Nevertheless, the results confirm that these structures can be analyzed from an anthropological and forensic perspective and have potential implications as part of a complementary identification profile.