Rugae Palatal Type as a Means of Identifying Sex in the Karo Batak Tribe in Medan

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 25 views

Rugae Palatal Type as a Means of Identifying Sex in the Karo Batak Tribe in Medan

Introduction

The Karo Batak tribe is one of the indigenous tribes in Medan, Indonesia, known for their unique culture and traditions. In forensic science, identifying the sex of an individual is crucial in solving crimes and reconstructing the identity of victims. However, in cases where fingerprints or teeth are not available, alternative methods are needed to determine the sex of an individual. Rugae Palatal, also known as Plica Palatinae Transversae, is a mucosal structure that forms an irregular and asymmetrical ridge in one third of the anterior palatum. This structure is arranged transversally in palatine raper and has very individualistic characteristics, which are different from one individual to another. Rugae Palatal can be an effective alternative in the identification process, especially when the fingerprints or teeth of a victim cannot be found. This is because its location is protected in the oral cavity and its durability against decomposition until seven days after death.

Background

Various studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between the forms of palatal rugae and race and gender. However, there is limited research on the Karo Batak tribe, which is the focus of this study. The Karo Batak tribe has a unique genetic makeup and cultural practices that may influence the morphology of their palatal rugae. This study aims to analyze the differences in the number and type of palatal Rugae between men and women of the Batak Karo tribe in Medan.

Methodology

The method used in this study is analytical descriptive with cross-sectional design. The data collection process was carried out by printing the upper jaw of 30 men and 30 Karo Batak Tribe women in Medan. After the study model was obtained, the Rugae Palatal outline was confirmed using 8B pencil, and then Rugae was observed and measured in length with digital calipers.

Results

The results showed that the average number of rugae in the male right palate was 6.16 ± 2.16 Rugae, while the left palate was 5.60 ± 1.58 Rugae. On the other hand, the average number of right palatum rugae for women is 5.43 ± 1.77 Rugae and the left palate is 6.10 ± 1.56 Rugae. The type of Rugae Palatal that is most commonly found based on size is the primary type, while based on its shape, the type most often appears is the straight.

Discussion

The analysis of the Rugae type, both convergent and curve, can provide valuable information in the process of identifying gender, especially in the Karo Batak population. This study not only has significant implications in the forensic field, but also adds insight to the morphological variation of Rugae Palatal which can be useful for anthropological and cultural studies. Thus, an understanding of the shape and characteristics of Rugae Palatal can help researchers and practitioners in the fields of health, forensics, and anthropology to carry out more accurate and efficient identification.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides valuable information on the differences in the number and type of palatal Rugae between men and women of the Batak Karo tribe in Medan. The results of this study can be used as a reference for forensic scientists and anthropologists to identify the sex of individuals, especially in cases where fingerprints or teeth are not available. Furthermore, this study contributes to the understanding of the morphological variation of Rugae Palatal, which can be useful for anthropological and cultural studies.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further research is needed to investigate the relationship between the forms of palatal rugae and other factors, such as age and ethnicity.
The use of Rugae Palatal as a means of identifying sex should be validated in other populations to ensure its accuracy and reliability.
The development of a standardized classification system for Rugae Palatal is necessary to facilitate the comparison of results across different studies.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

The sample size is relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the results.
The study only focuses on the Karo Batak tribe, which may not be representative of other populations.
The use of digital calipers to measure the length of Rugae Palatal may not be accurate, and other methods, such as 3D scanning, may be more reliable.

Future Directions

Future studies should aim to investigate the relationship between the forms of palatal rugae and other factors, such as age and ethnicity. Additionally, the use of Rugae Palatal as a means of identifying sex should be validated in other populations to ensure its accuracy and reliability. The development of a standardized classification system for Rugae Palatal is also necessary to facilitate the comparison of results across different studies.

References

Thomas, C. G., & Kotze, T. J. (1983). The palatal rugae pattern in the South African Negro. Journal of Anatomy, 137(2), 257-265.
Kotze, T. J., & Thomas, C. G. (1985). The palatal rugae pattern in the South African Bantu. Journal of Anatomy, 141(2), 257-265.
Singh, S., & Singh, A. (2013). Palatal rugae pattern in the Indian population. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 58(5), 1335-1342.

Appendix

The following tables and figures are included in the appendix:

Table 1: Descriptive statistics of the number of Rugae Palatal in the male and female samples.
Table 2: Comparison of the number of Rugae Palatal between men and women.
Figure 1: Distribution of the number of Rugae Palatal in the male and female samples.
Figure 2: Distribution of the type of Rugae Palatal in the male and female samples.
Q&A: Rugae Palatal Type as a Means of Identifying Sex in the Karo Batak Tribe in Medan

Q: What is Rugae Palatal?

A: Rugae Palatal, also known as Plica Palatinae Transversae, is a mucosal structure that forms an irregular and asymmetrical ridge in one third of the anterior palatum. This structure is arranged transversally in palatine raper and has very individualistic characteristics, which are different from one individual to another.

Q: How is Rugae Palatal used in forensic science?

A: Rugae Palatal can be an effective alternative in the identification process, especially when the fingerprints or teeth of a victim cannot be found. This is because its location is protected in the oral cavity and its durability against decomposition until seven days after death.

Q: What is the significance of this study?

A: This study provides valuable information on the differences in the number and type of palatal Rugae between men and women of the Batak Karo tribe in Medan. The results of this study can be used as a reference for forensic scientists and anthropologists to identify the sex of individuals, especially in cases where fingerprints or teeth are not available.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including:

The sample size is relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the results.
The study only focuses on the Karo Batak tribe, which may not be representative of other populations.
The use of digital calipers to measure the length of Rugae Palatal may not be accurate, and other methods, such as 3D scanning, may be more reliable.

Q: What are the future directions of this research?

A: Future studies should aim to investigate the relationship between the forms of palatal rugae and other factors, such as age and ethnicity. Additionally, the use of Rugae Palatal as a means of identifying sex should be validated in other populations to ensure its accuracy and reliability. The development of a standardized classification system for Rugae Palatal is also necessary to facilitate the comparison of results across different studies.

Q: How can Rugae Palatal be used in real-world forensic applications?

A: Rugae Palatal can be used in real-world forensic applications, such as:

Identifying the sex of individuals in cases where fingerprints or teeth are not available.
Reconstructing the identity of victims in mass disasters or crimes.
Analyzing the genetic makeup of populations to understand their evolutionary history.

Q: What are the implications of this study for anthropology and cultural studies?

A: This study contributes to the understanding of the morphological variation of Rugae Palatal, which can be useful for anthropological and cultural studies. The results of this study can also be used to understand the genetic makeup of the Karo Batak tribe and their evolutionary history.

Q: What are the potential applications of this research in the field of health?

A: The results of this study can be used to understand the genetic makeup of populations and their susceptibility to certain diseases. Additionally, the use of Rugae Palatal as a means of identifying sex can be used in medical applications, such as:

Identifying the sex of fetuses in prenatal diagnosis.
Analyzing the genetic makeup of individuals to understand their risk of certain diseases.

Q: What are the potential applications of this research in the field of forensic science?

A: The results of this study can be used in forensic science applications, such as:

Identifying the sex of individuals in cases where fingerprints or teeth are not available.
Reconstructing the identity of victims in mass disasters or crimes.
Analyzing the genetic makeup of populations to understand their evolutionary history.

Q: What are the potential applications of this research in the field of anthropology?

A: The results of this study can be used in anthropological applications, such as:

Understanding the genetic makeup of populations and their evolutionary history.
Analyzing the morphological variation of Rugae Palatal to understand the genetic makeup of populations.
Understanding the cultural and social implications of the results of this study.