International Journal of Forensic Odontology

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Forensic odontology plays a key role in the identification of those individuals who cannot be identified visually or by other means. Forensic odontology involves the management, examination, evaluation, and presentation of dental evidence in criminal or civil proceedings, all in the interest of justice. The unique nature of dental anatomy and placement of custom restorations ensure accuracy when the techniques are correctly employed. Forensic odontologist must also have the basic knowledge of the role of a forensic pathologist and the methods used in autopsy, as dental evidence is the most valuable and reliable method. Dental professionals play a major role in keeping accurate dental records and providing all necessary information so that legal authorities may recognize malpractices, negligence, and child abuse and also identify an individual. In this article, we will discuss such evolvement of the subject. This review is based on the information collected from standard research articles and literature from textbooks. Data were thoroughly evaluated and formatted.

The Inter disciplinary knowledge of forensic dentistry and the modern Day investigation plays a small but important role in enforcing justice in civil and criminal cases. Forensic odontologists are the expertise who help to identify the unrecognizable human remains following a mass disaster with the preserved structures of the oral environment. Thus this article describes the various aspects of forensic odontology in the current scenario.

Cheiloscopy has been fascinating from the time it took a prominent place in the field of forensic dentistry. This article aims at a review tracing the cheiloscopic studies conducted worldwide. It highlights the results achieved of each research work, and focus is made on the effect of the same. Cheiloscopy and dermatoglyphics with its various applications have immense potential, which are not fully explored till date, and it is necessary to channel the resources of cheiloscopy in a proper channel and henceforth maximum scientific benefit can be achieved with the same.

Aim: To find out if there are different types of lip print pattern in each compartment of lip. To find out the predominant type of lip print in each compartment of the lips and most predominant type of lip print pattern found in females. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in 50 females who had morphologically healthy lips devoid of any congenital or developed abnormalities. The lip prints were recorded in micro slides by applying lip stick. The upper and the lower lip prints were divided into two halves as left and right. The right and the left half are further divided into central, middle, lateral and therefore the lip print analysis was done in 12 compartments of the lip print samples. Statistical Analysis: The collected data was analysed with SPSS 16.0 version. To describe about the data descriptive statistics frequency analysis, percentage analysis were used. Results: The predominant type of lip print type seen in different compartments are as follows type I (40%) in upper right lateral, type II (44%) in upper right middle, type V (32%) in upper right centre, type IV(32%) in upper left centre, type II (40%) in upper left middle, type I (50%) in left lateral, type III (42%) in lower right lateral, type II (32%) in lower right middle, type V (66%) in lower right centre, type V(42%) in lower left centre, type II (36%) in lower left middle, type II (44%) in lower left lateral. The predominant type of lip print pattern including both upper and lower lip is type II followed by type V, type I, type III and type IV. Conclusion: Our study has once again proved the uniqueness of the lip prints and its importance in personal identification. Even though the collection and storage of lip prints in glass slide is superior to the conventional methods the samples get easily distorted. Further studies have to be done in males lip print samples for sex determination using lip prints. Also different digitalizing techniques have to be developed for easy storage and retrieval of the lip prints which would be useful in individual identification as well as forensic investigations.

Violence against children can be physical, mental or sexual in nature and is reported to be rampant in the modern world. The orodental region forms an important target of child abuse, and the dentist must be in a position to diagnose and report signs of child abuse and bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice. This short communication attempts to highlight some of the oro dental aspects of child abuse.

Context: Comparison between antemortem and postmortem dental records and radiographs produces results with a high degree of reliability and relative simplicity. Kvaal et al. introduced an age estimation method by indirectly measuring secondary dentin deposition on radiographs. Cameriere et al., later, put forth a method based on radiographic estimation of pulp/tooth area ratio (AR) in canines. The purpose of the present study was to compare the reliability of various teeth in Kvaal's and Cameriere's methods of age estimation in a specific populace of Andhra Pradesh origin. Materials and Methods: One-hundred and ten patients aged between 15 and 75 years were selected, and the variables p = complete pulp length/root length (from enamel-cementum junction [ECJ]-root apex), r = complete pulp length/complete tooth length, a = complete pulp length/root width at ECJ level, b = pulp/root width at midpoint level between ECJ level and mid-root level, and c = pulp/root width at mid-root level and pulp/tooth AR were recorded as devised in Kvaal's and Cameriere's methods of age estimation, respectively. Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS (version 10.5) package. The mean comparison of morphological variables was carried out using Student's t-test. Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of measurements was studied using the concordance correlation coefficient. Results: In Kvaal's method, mandibular first premolar correlated best with age with an R² value of 81.90% and a standard error of the estimate in years (SEE) of 5.889 years followed by maxillary central incisor (R² = 80.30%), whereas in Cameriere's method, mandibular first premolar correlated best with an R² value of 93.50% and an SEE of 3.564 years followed by maxillary central incisor (R² = 87.90%), mandibular lateral incisor (R² = 86.30%), maxillary lateral incisor (R² = 85.50%), mandibular canine (R² = 85.40%), and maxillary second premolar (R² = 83.30%). Conclusion: Although both Kvaal's and Cameriere's methods were found suitable for age estimation in Andhra Pradesh population, Cameriere's method, in particular, was found to be more reliable. Mandibular first premolar was found to be the best predictor of age followed by maxillary central incisor.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of panoramic radiographs (PRs) in identifying supernumerary teeth (ST) which can be useful to identify the individual in case the ST are impacted which cannot be seen clinically. Materials and Methods: The study analyzed the specificity and sensitivity of PR in identifying ST among the 180 dental undergraduate students in a University Dental College, India. The protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Saveetha Dental College, India. Positive predictive values (PPVs) and negative predictive values (NPVs) were calculated and analyzed. Results and Conclusions: The overall (all examiners) sensitivity and specificity figures for identifying patients with ST were 88.5% and 94.2%, respectively [Table 1]. The overall PPV for this study was 93.5% and the NPV was 89.6%. The sensitivity and specificity figures for students who have completed internship were 88.8% and 95%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for students who are currently doing internship were 87.9% and 93%, respectively.

Online since 28^th June, 2016