Role Of Forensic Odontology Research Articles

The role of forensic odontology and dental anthropology:An approach to forensic issues

Dental treatment essential to justice Action, review of evidence, appropriate evaluation and presentation of dental examination results. Most involve the use of teeth and oral samples for identification in a legal context. Dental anthropology, on the other hand, provides information such as characteristics of teeth, tooth morphology, size and shape changes, restoration, disease, tooth loss, wear pattern, dentistry, color and teeth. Dental records are also useful for comparing teeth; this can help determine a person's age, gender, race or ethnicity, personality and occupation, all of which can take on meaning on their own. The dental profession plays an important role as well as the responsibility to maintain accurate dental records to provide the necessary information to assist in the identification of victims. This article provides an overview of how forensic odontology and dental anthropology play an important role in identifying individuals and finding ways to resolve legal issues.

Role of Forensic Odontology in Identification of Persons: A Review Article.

Forensic dentistry plays a pivotal role in identifying deceased individuals when visual or other means of identification are not possible, particularly in the aftermath of mass disasters or criminal activities. Accurate and timely identification of the deceased and injured becomes crucial following events like earthquakes, fires, transport accidents, gunshot incidents, floods, tsunamis, bomb blasts, and terrorist attacks. The process of creating a person's identity is a formidable task, often relying on prevalent methods such as dental, DNA, and fingerprint analyses. Forensic odontology, a specialized field within dentistry, assumes a significant role in identifying individuals in accidents, civil unrest, natural and mass disasters, and crimes related to genocide. In cases where natural teeth are absent, the marking or labeling of dentures becomes essential for personal identification. Teeth's resilience to destruction and decomposition makes dental identification feasible even under extreme conditions. The fundamental principle of forensic dentistry rests on the uniqueness of each individual's oral structure, emphasizing that no two mouths are identical, not even in the case of twins. The purpose of this review is to explore the role of forensic dentistry in identifying individuals through various methods such as denture labeling, cheiloscopy, radiographs, bite mark analysis, rugoscopy, salivary signature, age and sex estimation, dental DNA identification, individual characteristics, and denture marking. Based on detailed ante-mortem records from dental specialists, which are compared to postmortem data during investigations, forensic dentistry is a trustworthy technique for identifying deceased individuals and criminals.

Role of Dental Evidences in Persons Forensic Identification in Nineveh Province

Aim of this Study: Underlining the method used in Ninevah as individual’s identification and to emphasize the importance of dental components for person identification. Methodology: ethically approved by the ethical research committee in the Nineveh Health Directorate/Ministry of Health. Modified questionnaire study formed to assess the role of forensic odontology in Ninevah and knowledge of the forensic medicine staff Result: Demographical section shows thirteen’s male group. In regard to specific unit positions in the FMD doctors form (15%), laboratory assistance (35%). In the specific knowledge questions about forensic medicine results where visual examination is the first step to identifying unclaimed bodies (45%), bone samples are the chosen answer (52%), in comparison to teeth (42.5%) used to estimate age. More than fifty percent claimed that forensic odontology is for dead person identification only. The respondents consider tooth structure to be the main part used (42.5%). More than 75% agreed that dentists have a great role in forensic odontology (33, 82.5%). The highest percentage gathers information from electronic sources: television, mobile phones, and radio (19, 47.5%). Thirty questions about forensic dentistry knowledge with one answer either yes or no or I don’t know. Twenty-one answers show the highest agreement of the respondents on YES, while 7 answers show the highest percent of applicants disagreeing with the questions. Conclusion: Forensic odontology provides a quick means of identification based on dental characteristics, treatment, and pathology in the context of comparative identification. Although FMD in Nineveh understands the significance of FD, they are not permitted to perform routine analyses of the remains; instead, they collect samples and send them to Baghdad, the primary center of forensic medicine.

An In vitro, Nonexperimental, Exploratory Research for the Development of a Guidance System to Identify Dental Implant System Used in India Based on Their Radiographic Appearance

Introduction: Identifying an osseointegrated dental implant could become vitally important in case some other clinician tries to restore it and plays a vital role in forensic odontology. However, existing ways to identify them are very crude and nonspecific. In addition, they are not focusing on implants used frequently in India. Aims: The aim of this study was to design a guidance system to identify different implant systems and their subtypes used in India and to evaluate the efficiency of this guidance system to identify an unknown dental implant. Materials and Methods: Radiographs of the 15 most common dental implant systems used in India were analyzed and categorized based on their morphological appearance under the headings. Nontapered or tapered/threaded or not, neck design, thread length, shape, etc., were observed on intraoral periapical radiographs, and a guidance system in the form of a flow chart was made. Based on the flow chart, 15 randomized assessor-blinded radiographs were tested for the accuracy of the guidance system that was developed. The Chi-square test was used at a 95% confidence interval to determine the accuracy of the guidance system used for the identification of assessor-blinded radiographs. Results: The newly designed dental implant identification guidance system effectively identified 14 out of 15 unknown implant radiographs among implant systems and subtypes used in this study. Nonparametric Chi-square test was applied and the results were highly significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The guidance system developed has the potential to identify the implant system mentioned in this study based on its radiographic appearance.

Tongue print and its role in forensic odontology- A review

With advancement of science and technology new methods of biometrics are being developed which aids in identification of individuals during time of disasters or in any legal matters. One of the most recently developed technology includes the use of tongue print in which human tongue serves as a source of evidence in human recognition. The human tongue is considered as one of the most reliable source of evidence as it is well protected in the oral cavity and can be easily stuck out of the mouth for inspection and along with this another great advantage of using our tongue as a source of identification is its uniqueness as no two same individuals have same tongue.

Dignified Management of the Dead from Humanitarian Forensic Odontology Perspective: A Need for the National and State Level Scientific Disaster Victim Identification Teams in India

Disasters are always unpredictable irrespective of their origin. The loss of human lives is a common outcome of disasters. Along with the physical and emotional trauma sustained by the victims, there is the additional responsibility of handling the deceased. Though there is an exclusive component with the management of the dead in place the specific issue about identifying them is still a complex process. Humanitarian forensics especially involves handling, identifying and disposing the dead bodies. It requires the application of the principles of forensic sciences in a multidisciplinary way. The role of forensic odontologists and anthropologists is not only restricted to the scientific collection of dental data from the dead body but also the proper utilization of the antemortem dental data to successfully establish the identity of the deceased, either alone or combined with secondary characteristics. Elaborate and comprehensive information with justification on the role of dental data and forensic odontologists in the dignified management of the dead need to be highlighted to the Disaster Management authorities. Several International organizations have pointed out the importance of odontology features in human identification. Moreover, forensic odontologists and general dentists are also involved in the international disaster victim identification teams. The present article provides basic knowledge on disaster risk management and the institutional framework in Disaster Management and also highlights the role of forensic odontology in disaster victim identification. It calls for national and state disaster victim identification teams with the involvement of forensic odontologists.

PERAN RADIOGRAFI DALAM IDENTIFIKASI KASUS FORENSIK ODONTOLOGI

Background: Radiography is an important part of forensic odontology because it is a simple, economical, and non-invasive method in identification, especially for identifying corpses through proper comparison between antemortem and post-mortem radiographs. Radiographs can also be taken to determine the victim’s age and even assist in assessing gender and ethnic group. Dental radiographic examination can be used as a reference because it has minimal potential for error compared to an odontogram. Objective: To describe the basic principles of dental radiology that play a role in forensic odontology. Discussion: Dental radiographs can provide accurate information as comparative data from antemortem data. The correct technique will produce an optimal image to be interpreted as comparative data through the anatomical shape of the teeth, periapical abnormalities, fillings, caries outlines, the position of impacted teeth, and others. Information obtained from panoramic radiographs helps estimate age and sex. Age estimation was carried out by observing the eruption stage of the teeth. In contrast, gender estimation was carried out by assessing the landmarks of maxillofacial anatomical structures. Conclusion: Radiography is needed in forensic odontology as an important component to support the identification process.

AMELOGLYPHICS-AN UPDATED REVIEW

In this modern era equipped with technologies, the crime rates are increasing exponentially. This requires newer methodologies to identify a person who is a victim as well as the perpetruator. Automated biometric systems helps in identifying the individuals by the stored information in the database which are unique for each individual. Some of the important methods are ngerprint biometrics and iris scanning.As these methods involves soft tissues they cant be relied upon during mass disasters like burn accidents and gas leakage accidents. Hence, a biometric system using the hard tissue is required for better identication of the individuals. Thus, Ameloglyphics is introduced to aid in identication of individuals died during mass disasters and it plays a vital role in forensic odontology. This review highlights this technology in detail.

Forensic Odontological Parameters as Biometric Tool: A Review.

Human identification by virtue of dental identification is on the increase in the past few years and has served as a major adjunct in the identification process. The science associated with the dealing of evidences from dental, oral, and paraoral structures—Forensic Odontology, is a boon in itself. It has been seen that the role of forensic odontology has increased as most of the times teeth and other orally associated structures remain the only means of identification in the worst of scenarios where the conventional biometrics such as fingerprint, iris scan, palm print, etc., may be lost and are therefore not reliable enough to resolve the purpose of identification. There are various important aspects in forensic odontology which are associated with the study of tooth prints, i.e., ameloglyphics, radiographs, the study of palatal rugae patterns, i.e., rugoscopy, cheiloscopy, i.e., the study of lip patterns, tongue prints which can serve as an important biometric tool to aid in the human identification process. Dental biometrics helps to determine several parameters that serve in the interest of forensics such as type of specimen, population affinity, sex, age, stature, race, and various other individualization factors. So, comparative dental identifications with the help of a biometric recognition system will play a major role in identifying deceased individuals in disasters, crimes, or any other mass tragedies.How to cite this article: Kaul B, Vaid V, Gupta S, et al. Forensic Odontological Parameters as Biometric Tool: A Review. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(3):416–419.

Role of forensic odontology and anthropology in the identification of human remains

Forensic odontology and anthropology play an important role in the identification of humans/victims in mass disasters (accidents and earthquakes) and criminal cases (homicide, rape and suicide) even if less available human remains or samples. Forensic also helps in the identification of age, sex, stature estimation and race identification using photographs, bite marks, lip prints, palatal rugae, radiographs and dental DNA identification if antemortem records are available. Here, we review the available methods of human identification. Cone-beam computed tomography of the skull showed superiority in comparison of both facial skeletal and soft tissue to examine the teeth, occlusion, palatal rugae, soft tissue thickness and other unique features.

Mandibular Canine Index to Determine the Sex of the Individual- A Population based Study

Introduction: The uniqueness of dental morphology plays an important role in Forensic Odontology,especially for human identifications. Mandibular canines may be considered vital for personal identification.Objective: This study aims to establish the effectiveness of the Mandibular canine index in predicting thesex of an individual in a given population.Materials and Methods: 400 participants (200Male, 200Female) were randomly selected from a givenpopulation between the age group 13 to 30years. Using Digital Vernier calipers, the greatest mesio-distalcrown width of both left and right Mandibular canines and Inter canine arch distance was measured.Results: It show that canine dimensions and inter-canine distance were statistically larger in males comparedto females and were statistically significant (p<0.001).Conclusion: Canine dimensions can be considered as an adjunct for sex determination in our population

Dental Pulp in Forensic Dentistry

Forensic Odontology, the branch of dentistry that is centered on dental or oro-facial findings has become an essential component of forensic science over the years. The identification of dental remains is of prime significance when the deceased individual is skeletonized, decomposed, burned, or eviscerated. Pulp plays an important role in forensic odontology as pulpal tissue can be used to determine age, sex and blood group antigen by molecular analysis. The present article discusses the uniqueness of pulp and how it can be used as an aid for determination of certain traits when no other remains are available.

Digital Marking in Prosthodontics

Forensic science helps us with examination of accidents or crime scene and also gather information related to medicolegal cases. Prosthodontist plays a major role in forensic odontology and highly significant after the invention of denture labeling techniques. Identification of a person gets very difficult in case of accident, loss of memory state of unconsciousness and in hospitals. Labeled denture helps us to identify the dead after disasters, in emergency situation and accidents. There are various types of marking system used these days and also described in literature. This case report highlights a technique of denture identification wherein a quick response code (QR Code) is incorporated into the processed denture using a clear acrylic. Keywords: Denture, QR Code, Forensic, Acrylic.

Role of forensic odontology in the identification of victims of major mass disasters across the world: A systematic review.

BackgroundForensic odontology (FO) is regarded in the literature as one of the most reliable and economical scientific methods for victim identification in mass disasters (MDs). The present paper systematically reviews the role of forensic odontologists in various global MDs.MethodA comprehensive search of the literature databases (PubMed, Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Google Scholar), along with cross-referencing published peer-reviewed articles, was conducted. The search included full texts, abstracts or titles, had no inclusion year limit (searched until September 2017) and was limited to the English language. Keywords included a combination of ‘Forensic odontology’, ‘Dental records’, ‘Victim identification’, ‘Natural mass disaster’, ‘Criminal mass disaster’, ‘Accidental mass disaster’ and ‘Victim disaster’.ResultsOf the included disasters (20), 12 (57.14%) were accidental, 5 (23.80%) natural and 3 (19.04%) were criminal. The maximum number of victims was associated with the Japan tsunami (15892), followed by the Thailand tsunami (4280) and the Estonia ferry disaster (852). A total of 23654 victims were reported, of which 20569 (86.96%) were positively identified. Reports from 17 MDs included the use of FO in victim identification [3025 (14.70%) cases]. In addition, 1094 victims (5.31%; from 7 papers) were identified using FO in combination with other methodologies. The highest percentage of victims was identified using FO following the Kentucky air crash (47; 100%), followed by the Newark air crash (38; 76%), the Nepal air crash (10; 71.42%), the France air crash (56; 65.88%), the Australian bushfire (14; 63.63%), and the Estonia ferry disaster (57; 60.63%).ConclusionFO has played a significant role in victim identification in several MDs around the world. The success of FO-based identification is heavily dependent on the availability of ante-mortem records from general dental practitioners. Hence, adequate knowledge about FO and appropriate dental record keeping among general dental practitioners are critical.

A cross-sectional study to assess knowledge, attitude, and awareness of forensic odontology among medical students: An emergency concern

Background: Medical professionals are important in treating and management of victims of mass disasters, abuse, and organized crimes. Although the forensic odontologist has a pivotal role in the investigation, health-care provider in the emergency medicine should have the potential to detect, inform, and interact with the dentist for further applications in legal issues. We aimed to conduct the present study on the knowledge, awareness, and attitude among the medical students. Materials and Methods: With informed consent, we conducted a cross-sectional study among 194 4th-year medical students. A structured questionnaire consisting of 17 items relating to forensic odontology to assess the knowledge, awareness, and attitude among medical students and data were collected and reviewed. Results: On analyzing the collected data of 194 participants, the percentage of participants who knew: the meaning of forensic odontology, forensic odontology a part of forensic medicine, and role of forensic odontology in the criminal analysis were 172 (87%), 192 (99%), and 181 (93%), respectively. A total of 183 (94%) were aware of bite mark patterns, 171 (88%) would examine for bite marks in child abuse, 89 (46%) the lip prints, DNA as accurate and sensitive method of comparison and teeth as source of DNA was 128 (66%) and 122 (63%), respectively. A total of 127 (65%) agreed that forensic odontologist as experts, 101 (52%) had opted for dental evidence, and 139 (72%) had agreed that postmortem unit should include a dental laboratory facility. However, only 79 (41%) knew the tooth as the choice of evidence in mass disaster. 101 (52%) stated dentist as expert witness. The awareness of the role of teeth in age and gender estimation was 147 (76%) and 79 (41%), respectively. Forty-nine (25%) had handled forensic dentistry case in emergency medicine and importance of maintaining dental records were known to 85 (44%). Conclusions: Medical students had inadequate knowledge of forensic odontology. As a health-care provider, medical professionals should understand the implications of forensic odontology.

The Symmetry and Position of Mental Foramen in Population of Jaipur City Using Digital Panoramic Radiograph

Background: The mental foramen may be round or oval in shape, it may be absent, unilateral, bilateral and in some cases may be multiple on one or both sides of the mandible. It is also often reported to open with a posterosuperior orientation. Thus it is important to have knowledge of the probable location the mental foramen on the basis of age gender and symmetry of the mental triangle. Methods: The present study was conducted in Department of oral & maxillofacial surgery in Mahatma Gandhi Dental College And Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan. The study comprised of 400 digital panoramic radiographs of age group ranging from 18-60 years of both sex (200 male and 200 female), from the database of oral medicine and radiology department, which satisfied inclusion criteria. Results: The present study showed that the maximal percentage of mental foramen as oval shaped seen in right side (87.5% & 98.0% in male and female respectively) and in left side (75.0% & 96.0% in male and female respectively). The maximum number of mental foramen was seen between first and second premolar (109 in right side & 110 in left side), followed by 79 in right side & 72 in left side mental foramen situated in line with second premolar in male and in female, the maximum number of mental foramen was seen between first and second premolar 96 in right side & 108 in left side, followed by 92 in right side & 79 in left side mental foramen situated in line with second premolar in panoramic view in radiograph. Conclusions: An accurate assessment of position of mental foramen is very useful for the prevention of postsurgical neurovascular complications and also holds the potential of contributing as an aid for forensic identification. Multicenter studies within different populations would help in establishing its role in forensic odontology.

Labelled prosthesis linked to aadhaar card id- a reliable method of human identification in forensic odontology

Personal identification in natural and manmade disasters can be made by using methods like DNA analysis, finger prints, carbon 14 enamel dating, rugaescopy, cheiloscopy, skull shape and size, dental structure chart and various denture labeling methods. Implementations of labelled dentures system linked with AADHAAR CARD, a unique identification card of India citizen can be important in identifying people who have lost their memory or in states of unconsciousness or in identifying the bodies of those who have died in natural calamity, disasters, accident etc. Identification is an essential issue in all medico legal investigation because a wrong identity may pose a problem in delivering justice. Positive identification through labelled dentures plays a key role in forensic odontology. A number of labeling systems are available and are broadly classified into either surface marking methods or inclusion methods. This article describes various methods involved in labeling dentures and suggests unique method of labelling dentures linked with Aadhaar ID card in India. Keywords: Denture labeling, Surface methods, Inclusion methods, Aadhaar card ID

Truth from untruth: Dental pulp and its role in forensic odontology – a retrospective review

Forensic identification by its nature is a multi-disciplinary approach relying on positive identification methodology. This branch dealing with the identification of the deceased has many maxims, the best known of which, is that every contact leaves its trace. The identification of dental remains are of primary importance when the deceased person is skeletonized, decomposed, burned, or dismembered. A google literature search was done on various studies done using dental pulp in forensic odontology. Based on the available data, the details were analysed and reviewed. Pulp plays a pivital role in forensic odontology. Pulpal tissue can be used for molecular analysis to determine Age, Sex and Blood group antigen. Apart from these, the extracted DNA from Pulp can be used for Personal Identification. Odontoblasts present in pulp can be used to assess age as well as the days of death. To conclude Dental pulp has a high potential value in forensic odontology.

Applications of forensic odontology in pediatric dentistry: A brief communication

Forensic odontology is the application of dentistry to law and delineates the overlap between dental and legal professions. Pedodontist plays an important role in forensic odontology by applying his expertise in various fields such as accidental or nonaccidental oral trauma, child abuse and neglect, age determination, dental records, and mass disasters by examination of the teeth and jaws structure for clues. These dental findings/records may be helpful in forensic identification wherein an unidentified individual can be identified using dentition. Information of teeth record remains throughout life and beyond, due to their physiologic variations, pathology, and effects of therapy. Lip prints and palatal rugae patterns can also lead us to important information and help in person's identification. Teeth can also help in determining gender of the skeletonized remains using dental DNA. Forensic odontology also plays role in crime investigation caused by dentition, such as bite marks. Odontologist can help physician in evaluation of bite marks due to abuse. The aim of this article is to discuss the role of pedodontist in various aspects of forensic odontology and procedures needed for examination, identification, and investigations of bite marks.

Role of forensic odontology in the Indian Armed Forces: An unexplored arena.

Forensic odontology (FO) is a branch of forensic medicine that in the interest of justice deals with proper handling and examination of dental evidence. Teeth can survive in most conditions encountered at death and during decomposition, even when the body is exposed to extreme forces and/or temperatures. FO is being practiced worldwide since 1775, after which it has not only become an integral part of the judicial system of the developed countries but also been adopted by the armed forces and investigative agencies of these countries. In India, the awareness of FO is gaining pace since the last decade after the establishment of various organizations and the Dental Council of India making it a part of the curriculum. However, its identity as an individual endeavour is still to be established. Awareness and applicability of FO in the Indian Defense Forces would be of great help for better and accurate record keeping of the dedicated and vigilant warriors of our army. These records will be of great help for easy recognition of our army men at the time of calamities, wars, and other difficulties. It would also be useful in the identification of terrorists who enter our country and travel easily in disguise.