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Estimation of missing mandible from the skull using postmortem CT images
Shuuji Namiki1, Hajime Utsuno1, Yohsuke Makino2
1Department of Forensic Dentistry, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
Legal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|September 30, 2023
Summary
Forensic anthropology can now estimate missing mandible shape from skull CT scans. This new method improves identification accuracy when jawbones are lost, aiding in skeletal analysis.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Anthropology
- Medical Imaging
- Anatomical Reconstruction
Background:
- Mandibular (lower jaw) loss is common in skeletal remains, hindering accurate skull identification.
- Existing methods for estimating mandibular morphology rely on traditional measurements, with no established techniques using advanced imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate methods for estimating mandibular morphology from cranial data using postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) images.
- To establish a novel approach for reconstructing missing mandibular features in Japanese individuals.
Main Methods:
- Utilized PMCT scans from 200 Japanese subjects to analyze cranial-mandibular morphological correlations.
- Developed and validated estimation models for seven key mandibular sites using multiple regression analysis (stepwise method).
Main Results:
- The estimation model for bicondylar breadth demonstrated the highest accuracy (adjR² = 0.53).
- Independent validation confirmed good estimation accuracy for bicondylar breadth, with a high correlation coefficient (0.82) and low mean absolute error (3.582 mm).
Conclusions:
- A novel method for estimating missing mandibular morphology from PMCT data in the Japanese population has been established.
- This estimation model offers a valuable tool for determining mandibular morphology from cranial remnants in forensic contexts.
