http://hdl.handle.net/11089/145 2026-10-07T16:02:24Z http://hdl.handle.net/11089/59450 ‌Research dynamics in the applicability of radiological mandibular parameters for forensic sex and age estimation: A systematic review Sehrawat, Jagmahender Singh; Sharma, Shria; Thakur, Shubham; Talwar, Manjit IntroductionThe mandible is the largest and strongest bone of the human facial skeleton. The absence of any overlying bony structure makes it suitable for radiological imaging in both living as well as deceased or skeletonized individuals. In this systematic review we aim to aid forensic practitioners in making informed decisions about the techniques and parameters involving the human mandible to ensure high quality and credibility of forensic analyses needed for medico-legal as well as humanitarian purposes. Aim Our review investigates the research dynamics and utility of radiological mandibular dimensions for forensic sex and age estimation. Methodology Out of 175 articles obtained from scientific databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science and Scopus, 55 full-text articles were found eligible for this systematic review. The articles were extracted systematically considering the authorship, year of publication, country, population studied, the mandibular parameters and radiological modality used, sample size, and age thresholds of the subjects. Results and DiscussionThe maximum number of studies (60%) used radiological mandibular dimensions for sex estimation and 38% researchers estimated both sex and age from these parameters. 69.1% (n=38) articles used panoramic radiographs, 21.8% (n=12) articles utilized cone beam computed tomography/computed tomography scans and only four articles used cephalometric scans for sex and/or age estimations. Orthopantograms (OPGs) were found to be the more commonly used imaging modality in clinical practice. The majority of studies reported mandibular ramus height as the most reliable parameter for sex and age estimation. Fewer than half of the studies reported accuracy percentages of their estimations; around 70% of them reported accuracies below the acceptable forensic thresholds, thus clearly indicating that sex and age estimation should not be performed based on mandibular measurements only. ConclusionThis systematic review is expected to inform future forensic anthropologists that only mandibular morphometry should not be attempted for human identification in medico-legal contexts. 2026-09-23T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11089/59448 Case study of an osteolitic lesion in the mandible of an individual from Danilo (Croatia) Tomczyk, Jacek; Konestra, Ana; Welc, Fabian; Rabiega, Kamil; Brajković, Toni; Regulski, Piotr ObjectiveThis case study presents an osteolytic lesion on the entire mandibular body in an individual from Danilo (Croatia) (17th–18th centuries AD). Materials The individual is an estimated male, with the age of death assessed as 45–49 years. Methods Macroscopic, microscopic and radiographic methods were used to evaluate the osteolitic lesion. Cone Beam Computed Tomography scans were also collected. Results The lesion displays an irregular yet predominantly ovoid outline. Its internal structure is osteolytic with partially eroded internal septa. The radices of tooth 47 exhibit partial, mild resorption. Conclusions The findings indicate that we may be dealing with either an odontogenic keratocyst or ameloblastoma. Considering the age and sex of the individual, the specific location and the radiological characteristics, we suggest odontogenic keratocyst as the most likely diagnosis. 2026-08-30T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11089/59446 Secular changes in body height, body mass, and BMI among rural boys in Eastern Poland (1986–2021) Saczuk, Jerzy; Wasiluk, Agnieszka INTRODUCTIONBody height, body mass, and BMI are key indicators of physical development, reflecting the combined effects of genetic potential and environmental conditions. Secular changes in these traits are particularly pronounced in populations undergoing socio-economic transformation, including rural regions. Eastern Poland remains one of the economically weakest regions of the European Union, which may influence the somatic development of children and adolescents.STUDY AIMThis study examined long-term secular changes in body height, body mass, and BMI among rural boys aged 7–15 years from eastern Poland between 1986 and 2021.MATERIAL AND METHODSThe sample comprised 14,685 boys from five cross-sectional surveys conducted in 1986, 1996, 2006, 2016, and 2021, with sample size increasing from 1,259 to 5,599. Measurements were performed using standardized anthropometric procedures, and BMI categories were defined using Cole’s international cut-off points. Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA with Games–Howell post hoc tests, linear regression, and chi-square tests for BMI categories.RESULTSSignificant increases were observed in all traits. Between 1986 and 2021, mean body height increased by 7.85 cm, with the largest gains among 13-, 9-, and 14-year-olds. Mean body mass rose by 5.83 kg, particularly in 14- and 15-year-olds. BMI increased by 1.21 kg/m², with the greatest changes occurring in older boys. The prevalence of overweight and obesity increased consistently across all age groups, with a marked acceleration between 2016 and 2021, while the prevalence of underweight declined slightly over the long term. Regression models confirmed systematic upward trends in all somatic traits.CONCLUSIONSThese findings indicate that although linear growth continues, the pattern of development is increasingly characterized by rising body mass and BMI, reflecting a shift toward a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity. This trend highlights the need for targeted public health monitoring and early preventive strategies in rural populations. 2026-08-17T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11089/59447 Effectiveness of equations for the prediction of stature from foot measurements in the Eastern Slovak population Petrejčíková, Eva; Zigová, Michaela; Gaľová, Jana; Kalafutová, Soňa; Pavlíčková, Marcela; Kmeťová, Lesana INTRODUCTIONStature is one of the key characteristics for establishing personal identity, particularly in forensic investigations. One of the methods for its estimation is based on a mathematical correlation between foot dimensions and body height.STUDY AIMEDThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various regression equations based on foot measurements for stature estimation in the Eastern Slovak population and to develop new population-specific equations. MATERIALS AND METHODSA total of 200 individuals (100 males and 100 females) aged over 18 years from Eastern Slovakia were analysed. Stature, foot length, and foot breadth were measured using standard anthropometric methods. Six previously published regression equations were tested and compared with newly derived models.RESULTSOur findings confirmed the presence of statistically significant sexual dimorphism in measured foot dimensions. Bilateral asymmetry was confirmed for foot breadth but not for foot length. A strong, positive, statistically significant relationship was found between foot length and stature, particularly in females. The accuracy of stature estimation varied depending on the applied regression approach, while newly developed models demonstrated improved predictive performance.CONCLUSIONFoot dimensions, especially foot length, represent reliable predictors of stature. The results demonstrated that regression equations derived from other populations do not provide uniformly accurate stature estimates, highlighting the need to develop population-specific regression models to ensure reliable forensic stature estimation. 2026-08-18T00:00:00Z