Forensic Research & Technology

Introduction: Th e morphology of the human face varies with individuals and even more with populations and ethnic groups.

Objectives: Th is study aims to determine the mean values of some craniofacial angles of Igala males and females from standardized facial profi le photographs and to compare them with each other and with norms of diff erent ethnic groups proposed by other researchers.

Materials & Methods: Standardized photographs of 1116 Igala subjects, comprising 558 males and 558 females were used for this study. Th e following angles were measured: nasofrontal, nasomental, nasofacial, nasolabial and angle of facial convexity.

Results: Four of the facial angles studied showed sexual dimorphism except the nasolabial angle. Of the four craniofacial angles that have signifi cant sexual diff erences, the males had a higher value only in the nasofacial angle. Nasofacial angle (NFa) had the highest index of sexual dimorphism. Th e mean value of nasolabial angle (Cm-Sn-Ls) as well as facial convexity angle (G-Sn-Pg) found in the Igala is less than that reported in other populations.

Conclusion: Th e result of this study will be useful in orthodontics, anatomical modeling, forensic identifi cation purposes and in plastic surgery to compare the pre- and post-operative results.