Abstract

The largest and strongest bone of the face, the mandible has several morphometric features that serve in identification of sex which is the first step towards age, stature and ethnicity determination. Increase in natural calamities, accidents and violent crimes have resulted in increase in mutilated faces or unidentified bodies parts that pose a great challenge for forensic experts, plastic and maxillofacial surgeons. Mandible is one of the most durable bones of skull, and mandibular remains from excavation sites is representative of the population and is of interest to anthropologists. Features of the lower jaw is of interest to orthodontic and plastic surgeons due to more people wanting to correct dental and facial asymmetries.

Description