Midsagittal facial soft tissue thickness norms in an adult Mediterranean population. (January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ayoub, Fouad; Saadeh, Maria; Rouhana, Georges; Haddad, Ramzi
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 294(2019)
• Page Start: 217.e1
• Page End: 217.e7
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Subjects: Craniofacial superimposition -- Soft tissue thickness -- Mediterranean -- Lebanon; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.10.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: Largest mean, Shorth and 75-Shormax FSTT values associated with lips and chin. Statistically significant and strong effect of sex on combined FSTT values. Uniquely high variability explained by sex compared to previous works. Nine out of 10 variables displaying statistically significant sexual dimorphism. Significant and strong correlations among lip and chin FSTT measurements. Abstract: The use of facial soft tissue thickness (FSTT) values is essential in forensic facial approximation. Few studies have assessed the FSTT norms in Mediterranean populations and none in the Lebanese population. The purpose of this study was to (1) present midsagittal facial FSTT norms for Lebanese adults with well-balanced faces and normal occlusion; (2) evaluate the presence of sexual dimorphism within these measurements; (3) establish a potential correlation between these measurements and (4) build on the existing database of FSTT data from previously published studies. FSTT measurements at 10 midsagittal locations were obtained from the lateral cephalometric radiographs of 87 males and 135 females (mean age of 23.49 ± 6.24 years). In additional to means, Shorth and 75-Shormax values are presented. Differences between sexes were assessed using the MANOVA test and correlations between different measurements were computed. The thinnest (3.07 ± 0.72 mm) and thickest (15.61 ± 2.38 mm) craniofacial soft tissue measurements existed at Rhinion and Subnasale, respectively. There was a statistically significant and large effect of sex on the combined FSTT variables (p < 0.001; eta-squared = 0.393). Males displayed larger FSTT values at all landmarks except at Glabella (p = 0.162). Significant correlations were observed between almost all measurements with the highest being between the upper and lower lips (r = 0.763) and between Pogonion and Gnathion (r = 0.784). The descriptive values of FSTT values reported in this study add to the body of research necessary for the enhancement of facial approximation methods The uniquely strong effects of sex on FSTT measurements combined and on selected single FSTT measurements are an area for further research.