What does rugoscopy study?

Rugoscopy is the study of the patterns and features found on the hard palate of the mouth, specifically the palatine rugae, which are the transverse folds of tissue. These patterns can be unique to individuals, much like fingerprints, which makes them useful in forensic identification. The examination of palatine rugae can provide important information in cases of human identification after death or in scenarios involving tooth loss or craniofacial changes.

While other options relate to various anatomical structures, they do not involve rugoscopy. Fingerprints (the second option) are studied in dactyloscopy, which focuses on patterns on the fingertips. The gum tissue (the third option) is primarily assessed during dental examinations and does not relate to rugoscopy. Lastly, the skin surface (the fourth option) can be analyzed in forensic dermatoglyphics for patterns like fingerprints, but again, it is not related to the study of the hard palate. Therefore, the focus of rugoscopy is unequivocally on the hard palate, distinguishing it from studies associated with the other options.