Exploring sexual dimorphism through palatal rugae analysis in the Javanese population of Surabaya, Indonesia

This study investigates the potential of palatal rugae patterns as a tool for sex estimation in the Javanese population of Surabaya, Indonesia. Palatal rugae on the anterior part of the maxillary mucosa exhibit unique characteristics that make them valuable for forensic identification. Through a cross-sectional study involving 60 Javanese individuals, the research examines the prevalence of various palatal rugae patterns and their correlation with sex. Results indicate significant distinctions in rugae patterns between males and females, particularly in diverging, converging, and circular patterns. A discriminant function analysis is employed to establish an equation for sex estimation using palatal rugae patterns specific to the Javanese population. Overall, the study suggests that palatal rugae patterns hold promise as a supplementary method for sex estimation in forensic science, though further research with larger sample sizes is recommended for conclusive results.