Need for Newer Techniques for Personal Identification

Abstract

Modern life is characterized by the concentration of large populations in a given area. With this comes an increased need for new and reliable methods of forensic identification to identify victims of mass disasters. Ameloglyphics (the study of enamel rod end patterns on a tooth surface) reveals that the enamel rod end pattern is unique for each tooth in an individual. It shows both intra- and inter individual variation. The use of these different patterns can also be extended to identification and possible correlation between the occurrence of several congenital defects and acquired diseases. Thus, this field demands a need for further exploration towards the use of tooth prints for establishing an individual's identity which can turn out to be an emerging aid in personal identification.