2025 CFORSJ i-CONF

Facial soft tissue thickness (FSTT) is a crucial element in forensic identification and facial reconstruction. Exploring its variations according to different sexes provides valuable information that is needed for an accurate identification. This study aimed to investigate FSTT variations between males and females of adult Malaysian populations. A total of 413 head and neck computed tomography (CT) scans (208 males, 205 females) of patients aged 18–65 years were selected. Four mid-sagittal landmarks; nasion, mid-philtrum, subnasale, and upper lip were involved in the measurement, using 3D-Slicer software. The effect of sex on FSTT was analysed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). MANOVA showed a statistically significant difference in FSTT between sexes (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.020, p < 0.001). All four landmarks demonstrated significant variations between males and females (all p < 0.001). Males have greater FSTT compared to females at all landmarks. In conclusion, there were significant FSTT variations between the sexes of adult Malaysian population. This population-specific data could be applied as forensic reference that tailored to Malaysian population.

The mandible is one of the bones that have special characteristics in comparison to other bones. The mandible is the strongest bone on the face and an important part of the forensic profile. The purpose of this study was to identify differences in the morphology of the mandible body related to age and sex in children used on the panoramic radiograph. Eight anatomical landmarks were digitised on 305 panoramic radiographs (159 male and 146 female) using TPSdig2 software. The shape data were analysed with MorphoJ using Generalised Procrustes Analysis (GPA), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA), and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA). The shape and size differences were tested by Procrustes ANOVA. Two groups (G1 male and G2 female) were used for the determination of sex, while three age groups (3 to 6, 7 to 9 and 10 to 12 years) were tested for age prediction. Morphological variation was visualised with wireframe and lollipop diagrams. The total shape variation was explained by the first four principal components (PC1–PC4) covering 82%. DFA accuracy to classify sex was 64.15% (G1) and 67.12% (G2), and of cross validation was 61.63%, and 63.69%. Inequalities based on age group were generally more accurate: 81 to 87% (Age Group 1) and even up to 93.68% for the older subgroups. Procrustes ANOVA revealed no difference in centroid size for the sexes, but significant differences in shape (p < 0.001). Shape and size variations were both significant between age groups (p < 0.001). Geometric morphometric techniques can demonstrate discriminatory features in mandibular body shape for age and sex. It's a useful screening tool for forensics in cases involving children.