The main purpose of forensic science is to establish a persons identity which is a complicated process. The examination of teeth, fingerprints & DNA comparison are the most used methods which gives quick& reliable recognition processes. But however these techniques cannot always be appealed for few cases. Thus, in this study biometric analysis of palatal rugae (PR) was performed. We analyzed sample of 120 adult subjects residing in northern kingdom of saudiarabia. Dentulous maxillary plaster casts were selected from age ranging 25 to 70 years & calcorrugoscopy was performed to establish the number, length, shape & position of palatal rugae. The average number of PR wereexcess on right half as compared to left half of maxillary cast. Majority of the rugae were more than 5mm in length. The most prevalent PR shape was straight (frequency : 85% on right side, 88% on left side) followed by wavy (frequency : 90% on right side, 84& on left side) and then curved (frequency : 99% on right side, 72% on left side). With 33% of frequency the PR were noted in zone E quadrant pursued by 21% in zone D quadrant. Thus, based on biometric analysis, and their features PR can be utilized as a reliable marker for detection of human which is an immerging development in forensic dental sciences.

Keywords : Rugae, Calcorrugoscopy, human identification, forensic dentistry.