MANDIBULAR CANINE INDEX (MCI)

ITS ROLE IN DETERMINING GENDER

Abstract

Introduction: Dental evidence is valuable in identification of individuals, especially following mass disasters; estimation of age at death of skeletonised remains and establishing guilt in cases of criminal injury by biting. Mandibular canines are found to exhibit the greatest sexual dimorphism amongst all teeth. Objective: To investigate the accuracy with which gender can be differentiated by using the mandibular canine index in the Punjabi – Pakistani population. Setting: Independent Medical College and Punjab Medical College,  aisalabad. Period: Dec. 2008 to Dec. 2009. Material and Methods: The present study was performed on 200 students, between the age group of 18-25 years, randomly sampled with informed consent (Through 3rd party). Mandibular canine width and intercanine distance were measured with the help of Vernier caliper after observing aseptic conditions. Mandibular canine index was calculated and the observed MCI was compared with the standard MCI value. The data was then analyzed using student’s “t” test. Results: No significant statistical difference was noted between the right and left mandibular canines amongst males and females (same sex) but when comparing between males and females, there was highly statistical significant difference (P < 0.001). The calculated standard MCI for canines of males and females found to be 0.2504. With these calculations we could predict sex correctly at 75.97% in this study (Male: 71.67% and Female: 78.72%). Conclusion: MCI is a quick and reliable method for sexual identification when a standard for the population is available. With these calculations, we could predict the sex correctly at 75.97 % in this study. This method can be used as adjunct to other available tools for sex determination. DNA studies can reveal sex accurately.
Availability of comprehensive database with “NADRA” can also be used as adjunct to “MCI” to enhance the accuracy in determination of sex and identity of the person in Pakistan.