Accuracy of Sphenoidal Sinus Morphometry in Forensic Identification Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Bony identification is the foundation of forensic investigation when the corpses are beyond recognition.The present study was performed to identify the accuracy and reliability of the sphenoidal sinus (SS) morphometry in forensic identification by using CBCT imaging. Using ITKsnap software, a set of 112 cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images for both genders were retrospectively analyzed. The age ranges between 20-50 years old. The height, width, breadth and volume of sphenoidal sinuses were measured. SS lateral-lateral (width), antero-posterior (breadth) and volume were significantly greater in males than in females. SS volume was the best discriminant parameters that could be used to differentiate males from females with Wilk’s Lamda = 0.890 and an overall accuracy of 63.4%. By using multivariate analysis, 67.9% of SS dimensions of females and 60.7% of SS dimensions of males were sexed correctly. CBCT imaging can provide valuable information of SS and could be used for sexing with moderate accuracy when other methods are inconclusive.