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Background: External human ear is considered to be a highly variable structure showing different morphological and individualistic features in The uniqueness of the ear may be useful in establishing the identity of individuals by direct examination, during the examination of CCTV footage or analysis of the ear prints. Considering the forensic significance of the human ear and ear prints encountered at the scene of the crime, the present study is an attempt to evaluate various morphological characteristics of the ear . Methodology: The sample for the present study comprises of 90 males and 87 females aged of the 19 years. characteristics such as overall shape of the ear, size and shape of the tragus. Results: The oval-shaped ear was present among 40% of the males and 44.8% of the females in the study sample. The other types of the ear such as oblique, rectangular, round, and triangular were also found in both sexes. Bilateral asymmetry was observed in the shape of the ear. The shape of the tragus also varied with respect to the left and right sides as well as sexes. Conclusion: The present study shows that the individualistic characteristics of the ear can provide very useful information for personal identification in forensic examinations. The shape of the ear and tragus, show a variety of structures and individuality. The importanceand variability of the human ear may encourage the researchers in conducting further studies and solving the forensic cases pertaining to the investigation of CCTV footage and in examination of dead in airplane crashes, intentional mutilation and dismemberment, explosions, or other mass disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mandible serves as an important structure in relation to mastication as all the muscles of mastication are attached to it. The Coronoid process is the anterior bony projected part of ramus of mandible giving attachment to two important muscles of mastication. The aim of our study was to observe the variation in the size of coronoid process in relation to its side (laterality), shape, age and sex. The material for this study comprised of 80 (160 sides) dry human mandibles. The age and sex differentiating criteria were detailed in materials and methods. The size of coronoid process was found to be approximately 1.5 mm longer on the right side than on the left side; 0.01 mm longer in males than females and 0.01 mm longer in dentulous than in edentulous. Triangular coronoid process was found to be the longest followed by round and then hook shaped. Male hormonal impact on muscle growth, bone remodeling and psychology probably lead to enhanced functional stress on mandible due to mastication as compared to that in females. Pterygoid muscles are involved mainly in side to side movement and Masseter-Temporalis (M-T) component in the robust vertical thrust during mastication for crushing. The condyloid process is for pterygoid and M-T-Coronoid Lever complex engenders the proportionate sexual dimorphism as observed in this study. Poor crushing activity in the edentulous is also corroborated in our observation.This comparative study is a pioneer study which will be beneficial for the Anthropologists, Forensic scientists and Reconstructive surgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]