RUGOSCOPY – AN EMERGING TOOL IN FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY.

Abstract

Forensic dentistry is the handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidence in criminal justice cases. Palatoscopy or rugoscopy is gaining importance in forensic dentistry due to many reasons, the most important being that the rugae are well protected in the oral cavity by the cheeks and arches. Rugae are found to be individualistic just like dermatoglyphics. The third most important factor being that they are easy to record. This article deals with the various classification, methods of recording and the clinical implication of rugoscopy in forensic dentistry.