Introduction

Palatal rugoscopy, or the study of palatal rugae, is a widely used tool in forensic dentistry for individual identification due to the uniqueness and stability of these structures over time (Patil et al., 2008). Palatal rugae are connective tissue folds located on the palate mucosa and exhibit morphological patterns that remain relatively stable from early life, allowing for their analysis in both pediatric and adult populations (Nayak et al., 2014). These structures, which vary in number, length, and shape, develop in the first weeks of life and resist changes induced by external factors, such as mechanical wear, age, or diseases (Venegas et al., 2009). Therefore, they have become a valuable resource in forensic identification and anthropological studies.

Previous studies have shown variations in palatal rugae patterns among individuals of different genders and age groups. According to (Fonseca and Flórez, 2009), these structures have a specific arrangement and morphology that may be influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The classification of palatal rugae into types such as straight, sinuous, curved, and angular facilitates a systematic analysis, enabling comparison across different population groups (Patil et al., 2008). In this context, Basauri Chávez developed a classification system that assigns numerical values to different rugae types, allowing for more precise identification and reducing subjective bias during registration (Fonseca and Flórez, 2009).

Research on palatal rugae in pediatric populations is particularly relevant since these structures develop early and retain their morphology throughout life, allowing for study from a young age. In children, it has been observed that palatal rugae can differ by gender, showing patterns that, while not entirely exclusive, present tendencies useful for forensic identification (Santos et al., 2016). This is especially important in the pediatric population, where traditional identification methods such as fingerprints or DNA may be less accessible or applicable in certain contexts (Caldas et al., 2007). The objective of this study is to analyze palatal rugae in a sample of children aged 5 to 8, segmented by gender, to determine if there are distinctive patterns that may facilitate forensic identification of individuals in the pediatric population. This approach responds to the need for studies addressing the characteristics of palatal rugae in pediatric populations, as most previous studies have focused on adults (Nayak et al., 2014). This study focuses on the upper arch and uses a rugoscopic record based on Basauri Chávez's classification, which enables a detailed and precise description of the rugae, classifying them as straight, curved, angular, sinuous, among others, and assigning numerical values to each type for easier statistical analysis (Fonseca and Flórez, 2009).

Forensically, identifying palatal rugae patterns in children can be useful in scenarios where identifying minors is complex due to the absence of prior records or in situations where other identification methods are not applicable. According to (Caldas et al., 2007), rugoscopy is a non-invasive, low-cost, and quick method, making it a viable alternative for identification in forensic contexts, especially for children. By exploring gender differences in the morphology of palatal rugae, this study contributes to understanding anatomical variability in childhood, which is crucial for advancing the development of accurate identification methods tailored to specific populations. This research aims to provide evidence on the variations of palatal rugae based on gender in a pediatric population, thereby strengthening the use of palatal rugoscopy as a tool in forensic dentistry. Based on these findings, it is expected to contribute to forensic knowledge and facilitate future research exploring other factors that may influence palatal rugae morphology, such as ethnic origin and environmental influences (Venegas et al., 2009; Santos et al., 2016).