Contributions of Forensic Odontology in Human Identification

Forensic Odontology is the science that correlates dental and legal principles, used for processes such as human identification. One of the possible acting fields for Forensic Odontologists is the analysis and study of patterns and injuries created by human bite marks. This study aimed to show the applicability of dental marks printed in chewing gum for human identification in forensic investigations. A transversal observational study was carried out. The data was collected from 20 volunteers over 18 years old. Each subject had their upper and lower dental casts and was asked to chew a piece of gum for one minute. The pieces of chewing gum were refrigerated at -20ºC for a week, and reproduced with addition and condensation silicones using an adapted reproduction technique. The analysis of the chewing gum was made by overlays. The ANOVA test showed no significant differences on width and length between the pieces of chewing gum and their reproductions (greatest width p=0.918, and the length p=0.981). The analysis of the reproductions with plaster mold showed that there was no difference when using addition silicone or condensation silicone. During the analysis, various suspects could be excluded from the investigation (up to 11, depending on the technique used), but it was not possible to confirm one of them as the main suspect. The study showed that the reproduction technique of chewing gum is efficient, viable and easily performed; and can be used in cases of human identification in forensic investigations. However, it is necessary to certify that the chewing gum effectively presents a bite mark and that it is correctly handled to avoid alterations. It also became evident that the process of refrigeration is essential for the analysis proposed in this study.

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Awareness Regarding Dental Charting and Dental Records in Human Identification Amongst Dental Practitioners: A Questionnaire Survey

10.53350/pjmhs2115103085 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (10) ◽

pp. 3085-3087

Author(s):

Areej Sulaima ◽

Abu Khalid ◽

Mohammad Alzahrani

Keyword(s):

Primary Source ◽

Human Identification ◽

Forensic Odontology ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Victim Identification ◽

Dental Practitioners ◽

Dental Practices ◽

Dental Records

Forensic odontology plays a significant role in victim identification among the disasters of multiple fatalities or various murders or burns. It requires adequate teeth remains after the accident and dental records availability to succeed. Purpose: To evaluate the Awareness level of the role of dental charting and dental records in human identification amongst Saudi dental practitioners. Study Design: Descriptive Cross sectional study. Methodology: Present study enrolled 200 participants involving both genders. A self-administered questionnaire related to role of charting dental anomalies in human identification was uploaded online. Informed written consent was taken. Unwilling participants were excluded. Tatistical Analysis: The responses were carried out using the “pivot tables” option in Microsoft Excel (2016). Results: A total of 200 participants completed the survey male participants 74 (37%) were less than female participants 126 (63%). Almost 70% of respondents think that maintaining dental records/files can be forensically or medico-legally important. Low of knowledge was evident in different aspects of forensic dentistry.54%think teeth can be used as a primary source of identification of an individual (like DNA or fingerprints) while 46% considered it not. Conclusion: This study concluded that there was poor awareness among the dental practitioners and the poor of awareness can lead to improper human identification. Key Words: Forensic Odontology, Awearness, Attitude and Dental Practices.

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Electronic health record and blockchain architecture: forensic chain hypothesis for human identification

Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences ◽

10.1186/s41935-020-00209-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

E. Nuzzolese

Keyword(s):

Electronic Health Record ◽

Human Identification ◽

Electronic Record ◽

Forensic Odontology ◽

Health Record ◽

Record System ◽

Data Repositories ◽

Dental Identification ◽

Blockchain Technology ◽

Electronic Health

Abstract Background Forensic dental identification relies on the collection and comparison of antemortem and postmortem dental data and dental evidence. There are software solutions capable of archiving postmortem (PM) and antemortem (AM) data, with search and comparative tools which are user-centric and do not allow open search options and data mining of all dental related data, except through the use of coded data. This reduces interoperability and raises dental data incompatibility challenges. Blockchain technology could help introduce a trusted, secure, and holistic ecosystem in the electronic health record (EHR) system with a forensic interface accessed by experts in forensic pathology and forensic odontology for the purpose of identifying human remains and retrieve identifying data of compatible missing persons from the health and dental electronic record system, with the further advantage of protecting data breaches, redundancies, inconsistencies, and errors. Blockchain technology, and a forensic chain, can enhance forensic data management and human identification process by managing the missing person lists, create AM data repositories as shared data with the EHRs of living individuals, create PM data repositories of recovered from identifying autopsies unidentified persons, and support the preliminary comparison of compatible biological profiles during the final reconciliation phase. Conclusion In this hypothesis, author investigates possible applications of blockchain technology as a holistic technical and interoperability solution for managing both health/dental data for a medical as forensic human identification use.

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