Gender determination using barr bodies from teeth exposed to high temperatures

Abstract

Context: Gender determination forms a prime step in the forensic identification process. Teeth form a very important identification aid in forensic studies because they are protected by oral tissues and dental pulp is further protected by the mineralized constituents of the teeth. This allows the conservation and sustainable production of dental pulp to help sex determination in circumstances where other tissues cannot be analyzed like victims when exposed to high temperatures during fire accidents, explosions, and other mass disasters. Aim: The present study aimed at gender determination from pulpal tissue extirpated from teeth exposed to high temperatures. Materials and Methodology: The study consisted of sixty teeth samples, thirty male and thirty female. The teeth have been subjected to a series of temperatures of 37°C, 100°C, 200°C, 300°C, 400°C, 500°C, 600°C, 800°C, and 1000°C. The dental pulp is then obtained from these teeth, processed, stained, and checked for Barr bodies. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistical analysis has been used. Results: The results showed that pulp from the female teeth showed the presence of Barr bodies up to a maximum of 400°C, whereas the male pulpal tissue did not show the presence of any Barr bodies. With increase in temperatures, the cellularity of the connective tissue decreased but the average number of Barr body positive cells remained constant within the range of 19–20. Conclusions: Dental pulp acts as a potential source of gender determination when no other means of identification are available.