Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Yenepoya Dental College, Mangalore.
Palatoscopy, or palatal rugoscopy, is the name given to the study of palatal rugae in order to establish a person's identity. Palatal rugae have been shown to be highly individual and consistent in shape throughout the life. It is wellestablished fact that the palatal rugae pattern is unique to human, as his fingerprints. Though rugoscopy is highly individualistic, there are very few attempts which are documented in the literature. This suggests the scope for the study of rugae pattern in individuals.
Palatal rugae, human identification, forensic odontology
