Contribution of teeth in human forensic identification--discriminant function sexing odontometrical techniques in Portuguese population.

We investigate the accuracy of odontometric methods in sex determination, using a sample from the Portuguese population. Measurements were made on dental casts using a digital caliper, and various odontometric indexes have been defined using upper incisor and canine teeth. Comparison of the means in both sexes was performed using Student's t-test. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found in all variables except for the "Incisor Index". The canine showed the greatest sexual discriminant characteristics. In the presence of one or both canines the distobuccal-mesiolingual crown diameter and the "Robustness Value" allowed discrimination between sexes in the studied population. We also provide further arguments on the debate on whether sex determination is population specific.