Panoramic and periapical radiographs utilization in Disaster Victim Identification (DVI): narrative review

Objectives: The purpose of this narrative review is to discover radiographic images in panoramic and periapical radiographs that are used as identifiers and to compare the use of panoramic and periapical radiographs in identification based on DVI. Review: The databases used in this narrative review are Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. A total of 1258 search results appeared based on keywords. The search results were selected by title and abstract according to their relevance to the review topic, then results are selected again based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Total of 38 literatures were reviewed. This review shows radiographic identifiers used in panoramic radiographs are tooth restorations, crown, Root Canal Treatment (RCT), dental bridge, dental implants, maxillary sinus, rectilinear metal plate, orthodontic brackets, tooth anomaly, and root morphology. The radiographic identifiers used in periapical radiograph are tooth restorations, PSA, tooth anomaly, and root morphology. In this review, 53.8% of the literatures used panoramic radiograph for identification, whereas 46.2% used periapical radiograph. Conclusion: This review concluded that the most used radiographic identifier in panoramic radiograph is tooth restoration (57,1%) whereas in periapical radiograph is RCT (83,3%). Panoramic radiography were used in 53,8% of the literatures in this review, it was used more than periapical radiography.

Role of Forensic Anthropology in Disaster Victim Identification (DVI)

DNA profiling is one of the most dependable and well-organized methods for recognizing bodies or losing body parts in disaster victim identification (DVI). This necessitates the collection of a post-mortem DNA sample and an antemortem DNA sample from the alleged victim or a biological related people. Collecting an acceptable ante mortem sample is usually effortless, but because of the varying degree of preservation of the human remains after any disaster and very high risk of cross-contamination of DNA, obtaining an adequate standard post mortem sample under cold DVI conditions is difficult. Various post mortem DNA samples from a deceased person in DVI can be obtained from muscle, bone including femur and ribs, teeth, and bone marrow with the slightest possibility of contamination. DVI (disaster victim identification) has been used to identify deceased people in various famous disasters like the 9/11 attack of the terrorist group al-Qaeda against the United States, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur that was shot down on 17 July 2014 while flying over eastern Ukraine. All 283 passengers and 15 crew members were killed; the 26/11 attack on Mumbai in 2008 led by terrorist organizations caused 166 deaths, excluding nine terrorists. According to Interpol protocol, four steps for identification are given importance: 1 – Site examination, which lasts for days to weeks. 2 – Post-mortem data include fingerprints, odontology, DNA profiling and physical indication. 3 – Ante-mortem data collected from victim houses. 4 – Reconciliation where specialists identify the victim from the data collected.

Optimisation of an Automated DNA Extraction Method for Bone and Teeth Samples and Applicability to Two Forensic Cases

Bones and teeth are highly challenging sources of DNA in forensic science and human remains identification, requiring multiple laborious processing steps. In this study, we compared an organic phenol–chloroform method to the QIAamp® DNA Investigator and PrepFiler Express BTA™ methods in order to identify the most efficient automated DNA extraction method for bones and teeth. Results from individual tooth powder replicates showed that the PrepFiler Express BTA™ method extracted the highest yields of DNA per mg of tooth powder, returning a minimum of 20/21 PowerPlex® 21 loci. Samples extracted using the organic extraction or QIAamp® DNA Investigator methods produced PowerPlex® 21 profiles displaying a ski-slope morphology. The improved DNA quality and yield from the PrepFiler Express BTA™ method was verified using aged samples, where higher DNA yields per mg of powder and more informative profiles were obtained. Furthermore, the PrepFiler Express BTA™ method subsequently provided useful DNA profiles for two forensic cases involving degraded bone samples. Overall, this study showed that the PrepFiler Express BTA™ chemistry is a reliable and robust method for DNA extraction from bone and teeth samples, and will allow larger numbers of samples to be efficiently extracted in the event of a Disaster Victim Identification event.

Comparison of maxillary sinus on radiograph among males and females

Background: An obstacle in forensic odontology is an incomplete body caused by post-mortem damage. The problem can be solved by using lateral cephalometric radiographs for victim identification. Sex determination can be performed on the maxillary sinus, which is the largest among the paranasal sinuses. Purpose: This study aims to analyse the maxillary sinuses’ width and height on lateral cephalometric radiographs among male and female subjects. Methods: The study samples were 60 lateral cephalometric radiographs (30 males and 30 females) between the ages of 20 and 40, with complete permanent dentition (or third molar absence). The height and the width of maxillary sinus measurement were performed using measurement tools of EzDent-i Vatech Software. Results: The average width of the maxillary sinus on males was 40.60 ± 1.56 mm, and the height was 35.02 ± 2.09 mm, while the width and the height on females were 36.93 ± 1.30 mm and 29.72 ± 1.76 mm, respectively. The independent t-test reveals a significant difference (p<0.05) between males and females, both in the maxillary sinus’s width and height on the lateral cephalometric radiograph. Conclusion: The maxillary sinus in males is larger than in females, it opening up possibilities for disaster victim identification.

Autonomous Thermal Vision Robotic System for Victims Recognition in Search and Rescue Missions

Technological breakthroughs in recent years have led to a revolution in fields such as Machine Vision and Search and Rescue Robotics (SAR), thanks to the application and development of new and improved neural networks to vision models together with modern optical sensors that incorporate thermal cameras, capable of capturing data in post-disaster environments (PDE) with rustic conditions (low luminosity, suspended particles, obstructive materials). Due to the high risk posed by PDE because of the potential collapse of structures, electrical hazards, gas leakage, etc., primary intervention tasks such as victim identification are carried out by robotic teams, provided with specific sensors such as thermal, RGB cameras, and laser. The application of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) to computer vision is a breakthrough for detection algorithms. Conventional methods for victim identification in these environments use RGB image processing or trained dogs, but detection with RGB images is inefficient in the absence of light or presence of debris; on the other hand, developments with thermal images are limited to the field of surveillance. This paper’s main contribution focuses on implementing a novel automatic method based on thermal image processing and CNN for victim identification in PDE, using a Robotic System that uses a quadruped robot for data capture and transmission to the central station. The robot’s automatic data processing and control have been carried out through Robot Operating System (ROS). Several tests have been carried out in different environments to validate the proposed method, recreating PDE with varying conditions of light, from which the datasets have been generated for the training of three neural network models (Fast R-CNN, SSD, and YOLO). The method’s efficiency has been tested against another method based on CNN and RGB images for the same task showing greater effectiveness in PDE main results show that the proposed method has an efficiency greater than 90%.

Best Practice Guidelines and Recommendations for Health Care Providers

Human trafficking (HT) is a federal and international crime and is regarded as one of the most pressing human rights issues. Adult and minor victims are trafficked by force (rape, beatings, confinement), fraud, and coercion resulting in profound physical and psychological injuries (Chisolm-Straker et al., 2019, p. 72; Department of Homeland Security, 2020; Vera Institute of Justice, 2014, p. 6). Most clinicians fail to recognize HT victims (Egyud et al., 2017; Leslie, 2018; Mason, 2018; McDow & Dols, 2020; Mostajabian et al., 2019; Patient Safety Monitor Journal, 2017; Stevens & Dinkle, 2020). This policy brief’s purpose is to provide health care providers with a validated HT screening tool and best practice guidelines and recommendations to aid in victim identification. The strategies outlined are those published by the Vera Institute of Justice’s HT Victim Identification Tool and are endorsed by the Emergency Nurses Association and the International Association of Forensic Nurses (Chisolm-Straker et al., 2019; Egyud et al., 2017; Leslie, 2018; McDow & Dols, 2020; Mostajabian et al., 2019; Peck, 2020; Stevens & Dinkle, 2020, p. e1; Vera Institute of Justice, 2014). These proposals will increase the likelihood that patients experiencing sexual and labor exploitation will be identified (Chisolm-Straker et al., 2019; Egyud et al., 2017; Leslie, 2018; McDow & Dols, 2020; Mostajabian et al., 2019; Peck, 2020; Stevens & Dinkle, 2020, p. e1; Vera Institute of Justice, 2014)

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

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.

Palmprint Recognition in Uncontrolled and Unco-operative Environment

On-line palmprint recognition and latent palmprint identification unit two branches of palmprint studies. The previous uses middle-resolution footage collected by a camera in an exceedingly} very well-controlled or contact-based surroundings with user cooperation for industrial applications and so the latter uses high resolution latent palmprints collected in crime scenes for rhetorical investigation. However, these two branches do not cowl some palmprint footage that have the potential for rhetorical investigation. Attributable to the prevalence of smartphone and shopper camera, further proof is at intervals the variability of digital footage taken in uncontrolled and uncooperative surroundings. However, their palms area unit typically noticeable. To visualize palmprint identification on footage collected in uncontrolled and uncooperative surroundings, a novel palmprint info is established Associate in nursing AN end-to-end deep learning rule is projected. The new data named NTU Palmprints from the net (NTU-PI-v1) contains 7881 footage from 2035 palms collected from the net. The projected rule consists of Associate in Nursing alignment network and a feature extraction network and is end-to-end trainable. The projected rule is compared with the progressive on-line palmprint recognition ways that and evaluated on three public contactless palmprint infos, IITD, CASIA, and PolyU and a couple of new databases, NTU-PI-v1 and NTU contactless palmprint info. The experimental results showed that the projected rule outperforms the current palmprint recognition ways that. Keywords: Biometrics, criminal and victim identification, forensics, palmprint recognition