Abstract
An update is provided of the literature on the role of odontology in human identification, based on a PubMed-Medline search of the last 5 years and using the terms: “forensic dentistry” (n = 464 articles), “forensic odontology” (n = 141 articles) and “forensic dentistry identification” (n = 169 articles). Apart from these initial 774 articles, others considered to be important and which were generated by a manual search and cited as references in review articles were also included. Forensic dentistry requires interdisciplinary knowledge, since the data obtained from the oral cavity can contribute to identify an individual or provide information needed in a legal process. Furthermore, the data obtained from the oral cavity can narrow the search range of an individual and play a key role in the victim identification process following mass disasters or catastrophes. This literature search covering the last 5 years describes the novelties referred to buccodental studies in comparative identification, buccodental evaluation in reconstructive identification, human bites as a method for identifying the aggressor, and the role of DNA in dental identification. The oral cavity is a rich and noninvasive source of DNA, and can be used to solve problems of a social, economic or legal nature. Key words:Forensic identification, DNA, forensic dentistry, rugoscopy, cheiloscopy, saliva.
Highlights
Forensic dentistry involves the processing, review, evaluation and presentation of dental evidence with the purpose of contributing scientific and objective data in legal processes
Dental identification can have three different applications [2]: (a) Comparative identification, in which the postmortem dental records are compared with the antemortem records of an individual in order to establish whether both records correspond to the same person. (b) The obtainment of dental information to narrow the search for an individual when the antemortem records are not available and there are no possible data referred to the identity of the subject
A number of identification techniques are used by forensic dentists, including rugoscopy, cheiloscopy, the obtainment of imprints, or the use of molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for analyzing the DNA contained in dental pulp tissue [5]
Summary
Forensic dentistry involves the processing, review, evaluation and presentation of dental evidence with the purpose of contributing scientific and objective data in legal processes. Comparisons have been made between postmortem dental records and the antemortem (living) records (presence of dental fillings, endodontic treatments, crowns or bridges, radiological studies to verify the clinical findings, the presence of malocclusions or dental fractures, etc.) to determine whether both records correspond to the same individual. Such techniques are less widely used, due to the increased efficiency and availability of molecular biological techniques [3]. The present study analyzes the literature published during the last 5 years, offering a description of the novelties referred to buccodental studies in comparative identification, buccodental evaluation in reconstructive identification, human bites as a method for identifying the aggressor, and the role of DNA in dental identification
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