Digital OPG forensic tool for biological sex determination and age estimation in Malaysians - a retrospective study

Forensic odontology plays a vital role in identifying individuals, especially in scenarios involving mass disasters and unidentified remains. This study investigates the forensic applicability of mandibular ramus measurements and mental foramen positioning using digital orthopantomograms (OPGs) among the Malaysian population. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 240 OPGs sourced from AIMST University's oral radiology archives. Patients were grouped by age (20-50 years) and analyzed by population affinity and biological sex. Linear measurements of the mandibular ramus and gonial angle were taken, and mental foramen positions were assessed using Scanora and Adobe Photoshop software. Data were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software, with significance set at p < 0.05. Significant biological sex-based differences were observed in the condylar ramus height (p = 0.0382), and age-based differences in lower ramus breadth (p = 0.0256). Ethnic variation was also noted in upper ramus breadth (p = 0.0423). The horizontal and vertical positions of the mental foramen showed statistically significant associations with biological sex (p = 0.045 and p = 0.023, respectively), and age influenced horizontal positioning (p = 0.029).These parameters could serve as reliable indicators in digital forensic identification tools, enhancing accuracy in sex and age estimation for the Malaysian population.