Unleash the Unknown - Frontal Sinus and Nasal Septal Patterns in Personal Identification

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the uniqueness and reliability of the frontal sinus and nasal septum by comparing various patterns of both the structures as observed on Posteroanterior cephalogram for personal identification. Materials and Methods: The present study comprised of 52 subjects (29 males and 23 females). Digital posteroanterior cephalogram radiographs were taken and frontal sinus and nasal septal patterns were analyzed for morphometric analysis using digora software version 2.7.103.437 network client copyright@ 1983 -2010 soredex, Finland. Results: Statistically significant difference was found for mean total number of loculations in frontal sinus between males and females and no statistical significance was found for nasal septal patterns. Conclusion: Within its limitations, the present study aimed to establish a simple, reliable means which aids in personal identification. Postero anterior cephalograms used in the present study have succeeded to some extent to establish a fact that there exists a variation in the arrangement of frontal sinus and nasal septum pattern and these features are unique to every individual and ultimately this can aid in human identification. Nevertheless, further studies are warranted to make it more reliable and ultimately benefiting the mankind.