Age determination and the importance of teeth in forensic odontology: A retrospective review

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
George Sam
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Retrospective Review ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Forensic Odontology ◽  
Forensic Identification ◽  
Legal Medicine ◽  
Western Democracy ◽  
Illegal Activities ◽  
Dental Evidence ◽  
Dental Maturity

Because of illegal immigrations, particularly after the so called Arab spring and the growing incidence of natural and man-made disasters which regrettably was very common in the last three to four decades, age determination has gained increasing importance in legal medicine. Forensic odontology is a branch of dentistry which deals with the proper handling and examination of dental evidence and the proper evaluation and presentation of dental findings in the interest of justice. There are various methods are used in Dentistry as an Evidence in Forensic Identification. Dental maturity, have a very imperative position in the assessment of age in children and adolescents forensic examinations. As time passes, with the increase in human greed and aspirations to conquer more and more nations in the false name of ‘removal of the dictators’ and the ‘forceful imposition of imported western democracy’ that has produced devastating results in the middle east and ultimately resulting in illegal mass immigration occurring towards Europe, eventually resulting in increase of crime and other legal and illegal activities, Forensic odontology as a branch in dentistry will continue to play its important role in legal medicine.

scholarly journals Dental Evidence in Forensic Identification – An Overview, Methodology and Present Status

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 250-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kewal Krishan ◽  
Tanuj Kanchan ◽  
Arun K Garg
Keyword(s):  
Tooth Wear ◽  
Forensic Odontology ◽  
The Body ◽  
Forensic Identification ◽  
Disaster Victim Identification ◽  
Dental Identification ◽  
Legal Context ◽  
Unique Identity ◽  
Dental Evidence ◽  
Mass Murders

Forensic odontology is primarily concerned with the use of teeth and oral structures for identification in a legal context. Various forensic odontology techniques help in the identification of the human remains in incidents such as terrorists’ attacks, airplane, train and road accidents, fires, mass murders, and natural disasters such as tsunamis, earth quakes and floods, etc. (Disaster Victim Identification-DVI). Dental structures are the hardest and well protected structures in the body. These structures resist decomposition and high temperatures and are among the last ones to disintegrate after death. The principal basis of the dental identification lies in the fact that no two oral cavities are alike and the teeth are unique to an individual. The dental evidence of the deceased recovered from the scene of crime/occurrence is compared with the ante-mortem records for identification. Dental features such as tooth morphology, variations in shape and size, restorations, pathologies, missing tooth, wear patterns, crowding of the teeth, colour and position of the tooth, rotations and other peculiar dental anomalies give every individual a unique identity. In absence of ante-mortem dental records for comparison, the teeth can help in the determination of age, sex, race/ethnicity, habits, occupations, etc. which can give further clues regarding the identity of the individuals. This piece of writing gives an overview of dental evidence, its use in forensic identification and its limitations.

scholarly journals Role of Dental Hard Tissue in Human Identification

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 130-134
Author(s):  
Niharika Swain ◽  
Shilpa Patel ◽  
Jigna Pathak ◽  
Priyadarshani R Sarkate ◽  
Nikita K Sahu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Identification ◽  
Forensic Odontology ◽  
Forensic Identification ◽  
Hard Tissue ◽  
Dental Tissue ◽  
Critical Determinant ◽  
Dental Hard Tissue ◽  
The Status ◽  
Dental Evidence

ABSTRACT Ethnologic identification is one of the major demanding subjects to facilitate human has been encountered with. The forensic magnitude of the dental tissue has been well predictable since teeth are hardest of all human tissues and they can be conserved undamaged for an extensive episode of instance following fatality. They are constant chemically and they retain their characteristics, which becomes a consistent source for determination of human identification. The study of the dental hard and soft tissue for the rationale of establishing the individuality of a victim is called dental profiling. By using the dental profiling techniques, age, gender, and race of an individual can be determined, as well as the data about their socioeconomic status, personal habits, oral and systemic health, occupation, diet, familial relationship, and psychological characteristics. A dental profile is more detailed and reliable if more than one technique is applied. Each human being possesses a unique dental profile that helps them in identification. Education in the field of forensic odontology and techniques of dental profiling is essential since it contributes significantly to the status of the dental profession in additional associated disciplines as well as in public, and it encourages dentists to view their own achievements from a wider perspective. Through the ages, odontological examinations have been a critical determinant in the search of human identity. This piece of review writing gives an overview of the dental evidence and its use in forensic identification. How to cite this article: Sahu NK, Patel S, Pathak J, et al. Role of Dental Hard Tissue in Human Identification. J Contemp Dent 2019;9(3):130–134.

scholarly journals Radiographic Employment of Mandibular Third-Molar Mineralisation to Estimate Chronological Age in a Population of Peshawar, Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
Quratulain Tariq ◽  
◽  
Mariam Ajmal Tareen ◽  
Iftikhar Uddin ◽  
Umar Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Quantile Regression ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Third Molar ◽  
Forensic Odontology ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Mandibular Third Molar ◽  
Quantile Regression Analysis ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Mandibular Third Molars

OBJECTIVES: To determine the correlation between chronological age (CA) and mandibular third molar (MTM) development in a sample of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) population. Furthermore, to provide forensic reference data for age determination from MTM mineralisation. Finally, to derive regression formulae specific to this population to estimate age using MTM calcification stages. METHODOLOGY: Four hundred and seventy orthopantomographs (OPGs) of patients aged between 13-26 years from the Orthodontics department archive at the main tertiary dental hospital of KP were studied for development of MTM staging using Demirjian's method. Spearman's Correlation was applied to determine any relationship between CA and MTM development. An Independent two-sample t-test was performed to compare third-molar development in males and females. Population-specific models was developed using quantile regression analysis. RESULTS: A strong positive correlation was found between CA and MTM development (rs = 0.853; p- <0.001). The median quantile regression equation developed for entire sample is: Age = 8.8+ 1.4(developmental stage). Ninety-four percent of males and females at stage H were at least 18 years or older. CONCLUSION: Mandibular third-molars can be an appropriate guide for CA estimation in the KP population. Stage H is likely to occur at 18 years of age. This may be valuable for medicolegal suits requiring CA estimation. KEYWORDS: forensic odontology, forensic anthropology, panoramic radiographs, chronological age estimation, mandibular third-molar, Pakistan HOW TO CITE: Tariq Q, Tareen MA, Uddin I, Hussain U. Radiographic employment of mandibular third-molar mineralisation to estimate chronological age in a population of Peshawar, Pakistan. J Pak Dent Assoc 2021;30(1):39-44.

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

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Jayalakshmi Kumaraswamy ◽  
Jaya Naidu ◽  
RaghunandanBangalore Nagarajachar ◽  
MaheshBatalahalli Sreenivas Reddy
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Review ◽  
Dental Pulp ◽  
Forensic Odontology

scholarly journals Individuals Age Determination from Human Dental Pulp Through DNA Analysis by PCR

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.L. Avinash Tejasvi ◽  
Anulekha CK ◽  
E. Rajendra Reddy ◽  
Pavan Kulkarni ◽  
Harsha Bhayya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Telomere Length ◽  
Dental Pulp ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Forensic Odontology ◽  
Pulp Tissue ◽  
Real Time Quantitative Pcr ◽  
Dental Hard Tissues ◽  
Group B

Abstract Objectives Age estimation in forensic odontology is having a great importance now a days because of the request by court or other government authorities so that immigrants whose real age is unknown should not suffer unfair disadvantages because of their supposed age, and so that all legal procedures to which an individual's age is relevant can be properly followed. Purpose The present study is planned to be conducted on pulp tissue and dental hard tissues derived from individuals for DNA isolation and age determination . Materials and Methods The present study was an experimental single-blinded study consisting of 30 extracted teeth categorized into three groups as follows: Group A: 10 to 20 years, Group B: 21 to 30 years, Group C: 31 to 40 years. DNA was isolated from the pulp of each tooth and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for calculating telomere length was performed. Results With increase in age, the length of telomere gets shortened which will be helpful in analyzing the age of the person when morphological and biological remnants are not available except the tooth. Conclusion The present study found that estimation of human age based on the relative TL measured by the real-time quantitative PCR may be a useful method for age prediction, especially when there is no morphologic information in the biological sample. This is the first study to accesses the age of a person by telomere length using dental pulp.

scholarly journals Forensic Odontology: Knowledge and Attitude of Dental Students in Ajman University, United Arab Emirates

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 515-519
Author(s):  
Raghad Hashim ◽  
Afraa Salah ◽  
Ruba Odeh
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Undergraduate Curriculum ◽  
Forensic Odontology ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Dental Students ◽  
Forensic Identification ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dental Curriculum ◽  
Knowledge And Attitude

Aims: The aims of this study were to assess dental students’ knowledge and attitude with regard to forensic odontology and to determine students’ opinions in the current dental curriculum. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among dental students at one of the main dental colleges in the United Arab Emirates; only dental students on their final year and internship were invited to participate. An online self-administrated questionnaire was used, which consisted of a set of 15 questions. All the data were entered into Microsoft Excel and then transferred into SPSS. Results: A total of 276 dental students contributed to this study. The highest percentage of correct responses stated by the students was related to the estimation of individuals’ age and estimation of dental age based on radiograph and eruption status. However, there were clear deficiencies in students’ knowledge in relation to other aspects such as gender identification and lip-print, palatal rugae as an indicator in forensic identification. A high percentage (84.8%) had no formal education in the field of forensic odontology. Moreover, 93.1% of the students agreed that their present knowledge about forensic odontology is inadequate. Most of the participants (95.0%) agreed upon the necessity of adding a module on forensic odontology to the current curriculum. Conclusion: Our study revealed inadequate knowledge among dental students in relation to forensic odontology. This lack of knowledge among them attributed to the lack of formal training, and lack of forensic odontology as a part of dental curriculum. Forensic odontology must be added to the undergraduate curriculum as a separate subject to enrich students’ knowledge and awareness toward medico-legal cases in their future careers.

scholarly journals Estimation of Age Using Dimensions of Apical Foramina of Teeth

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 705-710
Author(s):  
Aklesha Behera ◽  
Archana Santhanam ◽  
Herald J. Sherlin ◽  
Gifrina Jayaraj ◽  
Don K.R.
Keyword(s):  
Age Estimation ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Forensic Odontology ◽  
Estimation Methods ◽  
P Value ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Mean Diameter ◽  
The Mean

BACKGROUND Forensic odontology is an ever growing and a flourishing science. The science deals in criminal laws by using dental knowledge. People who practice forensic odontology are called as forensic dentists. They are asked to determine the age, sex, race, occupation, previous dental history and various other determinants like DNA verification in unidentified human beings. Teeth are a very special tissue in the human body. Teeth are the only tissue which can survive through extreme climatic and environmental conditions like heat, cold etc. hence many a times retains its morphology. Age estimation has been studied by many researchers but age estimation methods have been incapable of providing the age estimation in older age groups. The study aims to determine the age using the dimensions of the apical foramen from middle age to old age groups. METHODS A descriptive ex vivo study, was done from December 2019 to March 2020. Freshly extracted teeth were collected and cleaned using hydrogen peroxide. The teeth selected were single rooted teeth like incisors, canine and premolars in the age group of 30 to 40 years, 41 - 50 years, 51 - 60 years and 61 - 70 years. Apical one third of the teeth was sectioned, mounted over a slide and placed perpendicular to the lens of the stereomicroscope. Using Mag Vision and Image J software, photomicrographs and measurements were taken. Data procured was tabulated and statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. RESULTS In 30 - 40 years age group, the mean diameter of all single rooted teeth was 0.35 mm. Among the 41 - 50 years age group, the mean diameter was 0.43mm. In 51 - 60 years age group it was 0.41mm and in the 61 - 70 years age group, the mean diameter was 0.36 mm. Pearson chi square P value for incisor is 0.280, canine is 0.223 and premolar is 0.326. CONCLUSIONS Age estimation can be done using physiological dimensions of apical foramen. From the present study, dimensions of apical foramen decreases with increasing age due to cementum deposition. KEY WORDS Age Determination, Apical Foramen Diameter, Single Rooted Teeth

scholarly journals Awareness of Forensic Odontology among Dental Students, Academicians, and Dental Practitioners in Gujarat: A Questionnaire Based, Cross Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 28-40
Author(s):  
Jayasankar P. Pillai ◽  
Sonam Rambia ◽  
Thamarai Selvan Chokkalingam ◽  
Balamurugan Asaithambi
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Odontology ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Dental Students ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Postgraduate Level ◽  
Dental Practitioners ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Dental Evidence ◽  
Level Of Significance

Aim: This survey aimed to evaluate the awareness of forensic odontology (FO) subject among dental students, dental academicians (DAs), and dental practitioners (DPs) in Gujarat state. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire sheet containing 14 questions was answered by 607 participants consisting of dental students, DAs, and DPs in Gujarat. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the responses, and the results were presented as frequencies and percentages. The Chi‑square test was used to compare the responses among the groups, and the level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 607 participants answered the questionnaire form. Out of 212 UG students, 175 (82.5%) were aware of the FO branch and 181 (85.4%) agreed to FO as a promising field in dentistry. The majority of the undergraduate (UG) students agreed that FO should be taught as a separate subject at UG and postgraduate level. The majority of the participants (95.7%) agreed that dental evidence plays an important role in forensic cases. Nearly 80% of the respondents agreed for a separate PG course in FO and around 37% of them opted for MDS course in FO. Bitemark analysis and dental age estimations were considered the promising domains in FO by >80% of the participants. Conclusion: This questionnaire study was performed to analyze the awareness of FO among dental students, DPs, and DAs. The majority of the study participants were aware of FO. A thorough review of the literature on a similar topic was also done.

scholarly journals Evaluation and Comparison of Different Palatal Rugae Patterns between Dentulous and Edentulous Population of Mysuru City – A Preliminary Forensic Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (25) ◽  
pp. 1910-1916
Author(s):  
Rabia Almasudi ◽  
Ganesh Somashekarachar ◽  
Nagabhushana Doggalli ◽  
Meenakshi Srinivasa Iyer ◽  
Sowmya Srinivas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Special Interest ◽  
Forensic Odontology ◽  
Forensic Identification ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Palatal Rugae ◽  
Overall Stability ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Right ◽  
Utilization Cost

BACKGROUND Forensic odontology is a branch of dentistry which deals with appropriate handling and examination of dental evidences and with the proper evaluation and presentation of dental findings in the interest of justice. Identification of an individual is a prerequisite for certification of death and for personal, social and legal reasons. Palatal rugae are permanent and unique to each person, and can be used by clinicians and scientists to establish identity. It can be of special interest in edentulous cases and also in certain conditions, such as burned bodies or bodies that underwent severe decomposition. Thus the uniqueness, postmortem resistance, overall stability and additionally low utilization cost makes palatal rugae ideal forensic identification parameters. We wanted to compare the various palatal rugae patterns between dentate and edentulous subjects and also determine the comparison of the distribution of rugae number, length, shape, direction, unification between dentate and edentulous subjects. METHODS The study sample consisted of 60 subjects, 30 dentulous and 30 edentulous from JSS Dental College & Hospital, Mysuru. The study group was equally divided between the sex, and was observed for number, length, shape, direction and unification of all palatal rugae. RESULTS The total number of rugae was higher in the dentulous group than in the edentulous group. In edentulous group, shorter lengths, lesser complexity rugae were seen compared to dentulous subjects. The total number of rugae on the right side in dentulous casts were 4.20 ± 1.06, while the total number on right side in Edentulous casts were 4.16 ± 0.79. On the left side mean total number of rugae in dentulous casts was 4.46 ± 0.79 whereas the mean total number of rugae in edentulous casts was 3.76 ± 0.77. CONCLUSIONS Palatal rugae pattern changed greatly after aging and loss of teeth regardless of time of edentulism and wearing denture. KEY WORDS Dentulous, Edentulous, Palatal Rugae, Forensic Identification

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