Photoanthropometric Auricular Morphology for Identification in Southeast Nigerians

Auricular anthropometric parameters are useful for facial identification and reconstructive auricular intervention. This study was aimed at assessing, sexual dimorphism in auricular anthropometric parameters. Method: 514 subjects (16-30 years) comprising 258 males and 256 females were selected using simple random sampling technique . Total ear length (TEL), Total ear width (TEW), Total lobe width (TLW), Total lobular height (TLH) at 90o, 45o left and 45o right were measured and analyzed. Results: Males were observed to have higher TEL, TEW parameters than females at all angles, Females were also observed to have a longer TLH than males at 90o, 45o left and 45o right for both sides of the ear: All measured parameters in both sex showed higher values on the right side than the left, right lobular index was also found to be statistically higher (P < 0.05) when compared to the left one Conclusion: TEL and TEW measured from all angle are correlated and can be used to determine sex. It can also aid biological profiling, facial recognition from security cameras, planning of cosmetic surgery and product design for specific consumer auricular requirements.