Role of Frontal Sinus and Nasal Septal Patterns in Personal Identification- A Digital Radiographic Study

Background: Human identification stays as one of the most outstanding fields of forensic sciences. Finger print analysis, dental comparisons and DNA analysis were most commonly employed personal identification methods. In circumstances like mass disasters, because of scarcity of available soft tissue remains, Forensic maxillofacial radiology plays an important role in personal identification by means of radiographic evaluation of human osteological remains. Frontal sinus and nasal septum, being unique to an individual can be best visualized in Postero anterior skull radiographs and thus can be used for personal identification. Aim and objectives: To evaluate the morphology and effectiveness of frontal sinus and nasal septum using digital Postero anterior skull radiographs as an aid in personal identification. Materials and Methods: 200 subjects were enrolled into present study. Digital Postero anterior skull radiographs were taken using Photo Stimulable Phosphor Sensor and were processed using Digora PCT scanner (Soredex). The obtained digital images were subjected to analysis of frontal sinus and nasal septal patterns using Digora windows software version 2.7 and the obtained information was subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Frontal sinus and nasal septum showed high uniqueness and stability with a total of 1868 unique combinations. There were no significant gender variations in the patterns of frontal sinus and nasal septum except for the number of scalloping's and dimensions of frontal sinus. Conclusion: Frontal sinus and nasal septum patterns could be a promising adjunctive tool for personal identification.