The use of canine dimensions as markers for sex estimation in biological profiling

Francis Kofi Sarkodie; Chrissie Stansie Abaidoo; Joshua Tetteh; Thomas Koukou Diby; Samuel Bimpong; Atta Kusi Appiah; Nancy Darkoa Darko; James Nketsiah; Collins Adjei-Antwi; Clement Nsobire Atobiga; Juliet Robertson; Samuel Kwadwo Peprah Bempah; Daniel Kobina Okwan; Ethel Akua Achiaa Domfeh; Priscilla Obeng; Sarah Owusu Afriyie

doi:10.5281/zenodo.21849228

Authors

Francis Kofi Sarkodie Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0900-4724
Chrissie Stansie Abaidoo Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Joshua Tetteh Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Thomas Koukou Diby Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Samuel Bimpong Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9062-800X
Atta Kusi Appiah Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Nancy Darkoa Darko Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6009-5713
James Nketsiah Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2182-9163
Collins Adjei-Antwi Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Clement Nsobire Atobiga Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Juliet Robertson Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Samuel Kwadwo Peprah Bempah Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Daniel Kobina Okwan Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Ethel Akua Achiaa Domfeh Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Priscilla Obeng Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Sarah Owusu Afriyie Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21849228

Abstract

Forensic dentistry focuses on identifying individuals through distinctive characteristics of their dental structures. There is a lack of documentation of dental records in developing countries, particularly in Ghana. Therefore, the study aimed to generate detailed baseline data on the sexually dimorphic features of the canine tooth. A convenience sampling technique was employed to recruit a total of 280 participants (140 males and 140 females) aged 18-42 years. Ethical approval was obtained from the Committee on Human Research, Publications and Ethics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Informed consent was sought from the participants. Dental impressions were made using alginate powder, and study models were prepared using dental stone. Measurements of right and left mesiodistal width of the mandibular and maxillary canines, and Intercanine distances were taken using Digital Vernier Calipers. The means of the Right and Left Mandibular, Maxillary Mesiodistal Widths, Intercanine Distances, and the Right Mandibular Canine index were sexually dimorphic. Binary logistic regression analyses showed that models employing the Right and Left Mandibular Mesiodistal Width, Mandibular Intercanine Distance, Maxillary Intercanine Distance, Right and Left Maxillary Mesiodistal Width, and Right Mandibular Canine Index were good and statistically significant in predicting sex. The best-performing model was the Left Maxillary Mesiodistal Width, which correctly predicted 65% of males and 67.9% of females, with an overall prediction accuracy of 66.40%. Microdont was the predominant tooth type for left and right maxillary canines, followed by mesodont and microdont among both sexes. The results of this study indicate sexual dimorphism, providing a baseline for further research. Canine dimensions, combined with other dental and skeletal indicators, can enhance the accuracy of sex estimation.

KEY WORDS:

Dental Records, Dental Impressions, Mandibular Canine Index, Maxillary Canine Index, Mesiodistal Width, Intercanine Distance.

Author Biographies

Chrissie Stansie Abaidoo, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Professor Chrissie Stansie Abaidoo is one of the finest professors in Human Anatomy and Cell Biology in Ghana. She is a professor at the Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, KNUST.

Joshua Tetteh, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Dr. Tetteh is an astute researcher, Human Anatomist, and Forensic Scientist. He is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, KNUST.

Thomas Koukou Diby, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Dr. Diby is a Lecturer at the Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, KNUST.

Samuel Bimpong, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Dr. Bimpong is an experienced Lecturer at the Anatomy Department, School of Medical Sciences, KNUST.

Atta Kusi Appiah, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Dr. Kusi Appiah is a lecturer at the Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, KNUST.

Nancy Darkoa Darko , Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Dr. Nancy is a Lecturer at the Anatomy Department, School of Medical Sciences, KNUST.

James Nketsiah, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Mr. Nketsiah is a Lecturer at the Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, KNUST

Collins Adjei-Antwi, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Mr. Adjei-Antwi is Lecturer at the Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, KNUST

Clement Nsobire Atobiga, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Mr. Atobiga is a Lecturer at the Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, KNUST

Juliet Robertson, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Miss Robertson is a Chief Research Assistant at the Department of Anatomy and Forensic Science.

Samuel Kwadwo Peprah Bempah, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Mr. Bemepah is a chief Research Assistant at the Anatomy Department, School of Medical Sciences, KNUST.

Daniel Kobina Okwan, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Mr. Okwan is a Chief Research Assistant at the Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, KNUST.

Ethel Akua Achiaa Domfeh, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Miss. Domfeh is a Senior Research Assistant at the Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, KNUST.

Priscilla Obeng, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Miss Obeng is a Senior Research Assistant at the Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, KNUST.

Sarah Owusu Afriyie, Department of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Miss Afriyie is a Senior Research Assistant at the Anatomy Department, School of Medical Sciences, KNUST.