Comparative analysis of techniques for sex determination through dental pulp Barr-Bodies: Forensic study

Introduction: It is an established fact that sex of an individual can be determined from the dental pulp tissue in living as well as the dead using Barr-bodies. However to establish that which technique is better suited for Barr-body estimation is yet to be compared. Aim: The objective of the study is to compare histopathology and cytopathology techniques for determination of Barr-bodies in human dental pulp tissue. Material & Method: A study sample of 40 teeth all extracted for the purpose of orthodontic or prosthodontic treatment and periodontically compromised teeth were selected. The samples were divided into 4 groups of 10 teeth each, which were sectioned using a carborundum disc for obtaining the pulp tissue in toto. The group 1 and 2 (group1- 10 male samples, group2- 10 female samples) were processed conventionally to prepare tissue sections and were used for histopathological analysis. Tissues from group 3 and 4 (group3- 10 male samples, group4- 10 female samples) were crushed and centrifuged at 1000rpm for 10 minutes. The supernatant was then used to prepare the smear and were used for cytopathological analysis. The slides thus obtained were stained with conventional Haematoxylin and Eosin stain in order to locate and identify Barr-bodies. Statistical analysis: The mean Barr-body count was more in females than in male samples and in histopathological analysis as compared to cytopathological technique. Also cell morphology was better appreciated in histopathology than in cytopathology. Results & Conclusion: The cytopathology technique is effective while looking for these structures in commonly studied buccal mucosal smears. Though the histopathology technique is more time consuming but gives an excellent result in Barr-body identification through dental pulp tissue. Our study is in contraindication to the previous cytological studies reported in the literature.