IDENTIFICATION OF EURO-AMERICANS, AFRO-AMERICANS, AND AMERINDIANS FROM PALATAL DIMENSIONS

Seven measurements were taken on 414 Euro-American, Afro-American, and Amerindian palates in an attempt to evaluate differences in dental ar cade shape among these three groups. Width measurements across the pal ate at the first incisor, canine, second premolar, and second molar we re taken directly on the dental arcade. The distances along the sagitt al plane from the front of the palate to the level of these teeth were calculated from measurements taken between the right central incisor and the canine, second premolar and second molar. Discriminant functio ns computed from the measurements properly classified palates by group 66.0% of the time if sex is unknown. If sex is known to be male, othe r functions properly classified 65.7% of the sample; for sex known to be female 72.0% correct classification was achieved. Because these per centage are more than twice that expected from probability theory alon e, it is concluded that the seven measurements are useful in determini ng ethnic group.