The reliability of palatal rugoscopy in forensic identification

Abstract

lettersThe reliability of palatal rugoscopy in forensic identification Thorakkal Shamim Thorakkal Shamim Search for more papers by this author Published Online::3 Oct 2013https://doi.org/10.5144/0256-4947.2013.513SectionsPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload citationTrack citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail AboutIntroductionTo the Editor: There is paucity of information about the reliability of palatal rugoscopy in forensic identification in Saudi Arabia. As you know, forensic dental identification plays an important role in the establishment of a person’s individuality, and forensic odontology deals with the proper handling and examination of dental evidence and the proper evaluation and presentation of dental findings in the interest of justice.1 Palatal rugoscopy is the study of palatal rugae, and their uniqueness to individuals can provide a reliable source of identification. 2 Palatal rugae are irregular, asymmetric ridges of mucous membrane extending lateral from the incisive papilla and the anterior part of the median palatal raphe.3 Palatal rugae are well protected by the lips, cheek, and tongue and are thus protected from external insults such as fire and high-impact trauma. They do not change shape with age and reappear after trauma or surgical procedures.From the recent studies done in the Indian population, it was postulated that palatal rugae can be used as a personal soft-tissue oral print in forensic identification.4,5 The rugae pattern can be recorded by means of dental impressions and casts made from them. The study of maxillary dental casts is the most widely used technique due to its simplicity, cost, and reliability. The overlay print of palatal rugae in a maxillary cast can be used to perform a comparative analysis. Computerized recording of the palatal rugae pattern is also introduced in forensic identification. 6 Controversy still exists about the stability of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of rugae during growth and the extent of differences between ethnic groups and sexes. Another aspect of palatoscopy that one must consider is the possibility of rugae pattern forgery and the possible distortion of the palatal rugae replica as a result of poor duplicating materials and techniques. Further studies to determine the reliability of palatal rugoscopy in forensic identification are encouraged.ARTICLE REFERENCES:1. Shamim T. "Forensic odontology" . J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2012Apr 22(4):240-5. Google Scholar2. Shamim T. "A new working classification proposed for forensic odontology" . J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2011Jan 21(1):59. Google Scholar3. Paliwal A, Wanjari S, Parwani R. "Palatal rugoscopy: Establishing identity" . J Forensic Dent Sci. 2010Jan 2(1):27-31. Google Scholar4. Indira A, Gupta M, David MP. "Usefullness of palatal rugae patterns in establishing identity: Preliminary results from Bengaluru city, India" . J Forensic Dent Sci. 2012Jan 4(1):2-5. Google Scholar5. Kumar S, Vezhavendhan N, Shanthi V, Balaji N, Sumathi MK, Vendhan P. "Palatal rugoscopy among Puducherry population" . J Contemp Dent Pract. 2012May1 13(3):401-4. Google Scholar6. Limson KS, Julian R. "Computerized recording of the palatal rugae pattern and an evaluation of its application in forensic identification" . J Forensic Odontostomatol. 2004Jun 22(1):1-4. Google Scholar Previous article Next article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 33, Issue 5September-October 2013 Metrics History Published online3 October 2013 InformationCopyright © 2013, Annals of Saudi MedicineThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.PDF download