Comparison of palatal rugae pattern in two populations of India

The aim is of the study was the difference in shape of the palatal rugae in two populations of India. Thirty plaster casts from two population groups i.e. Karnataka and Manipur, belonging to similar age group were examined for rugae pattern (straight, wavy, curved, converge, diverge and circular) and their incidence were recorded The average number of rugae in different patterns and association of different pattern among the two groups were compared using Chi-square test and student unpaired t-test. Significant difference was observed between rugae pattern of two populations which can be used as a parameter for forensic identification.