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Thurzo A, Jančovičová V, Hain M, Thurzo M, Novák B, Kosnáčová H, Lehotská V, Varga I, Kováč P, Moravanský N. Human Remains Identification Using Micro-CT, Chemometric and AI Methods in Forensic Experimental Reconstruction of Dental Patterns after Concentrated Sulphuric Acid Significant Impact. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27134035. [PMID: 35807281 PMCID: PMC9268125 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27134035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Teeth, in humans, represent the most resilient tissues. However, exposure to concentrated acids might lead to their dissolving, thus making human identification difficult. Teeth often contain dental restorations from materials that are even more resilient to acid impact. This paper aims to introduce a novel method for the 3D reconstruction of dental patterns as a crucial step for the digital identification of dental records. (2) With a combination of modern methods, including micro-computed tomography, cone-beam computer tomography, and attenuated total reflection, in conjunction with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and artificial intelligence convolutional neural network algorithms, this paper presents a method for 3D-dental-pattern reconstruction, and human remains identification. Our research studies the morphology of teeth, bone, and dental materials (amalgam, composite, glass-ionomer cement) under different periods of exposure to 75% sulfuric acid. (3) Our results reveal a significant volume loss in bone, enamel, dentine, as well as glass-ionomer cement. The results also reveal a significant resistance by the composite and amalgam dental materials to the impact of sulfuric acid, thus serving as strong parts in the dental-pattern mosaic. This paper also probably introduces the first successful artificial intelligence application in automated-forensic-CBCT segmentation. (4) Interdisciplinary cooperation, utilizing the mentioned technologies, can solve the problem of human remains identification with a 3D reconstruction of dental patterns and their 2D projections over existing ante-mortem records.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrej Thurzo
- Department of Stomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 81250 Bratislava, Slovakia;
- Institute of Forensic Medical Expertise, Expert institute, Boženy Němcovej 8, 81104 Bratislava, Slovakia;
- Department of Simulation and Virtual Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 81272 Bratislava, Slovakia;
- Correspondence: (A.T.); (N.M.)
| | - Viera Jančovičová
- Department of Graphic Arts Technology and Applied Photochemistry, Institute of Natural and Synthetic Polymers, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, 81237 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Miroslav Hain
- Institute of Measurement Science, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 84104 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Milan Thurzo
- Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Bohuslav Novák
- Department of Stomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 81250 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Helena Kosnáčová
- Department of Simulation and Virtual Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 81272 Bratislava, Slovakia;
- Department of Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Viera Lehotská
- 2nd Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Heydukova 10, 81250 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Ivan Varga
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 81372 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Peter Kováč
- Institute of Forensic Medical Expertise, Expert institute, Boženy Němcovej 8, 81104 Bratislava, Slovakia;
| | - Norbert Moravanský
- Institute of Forensic Medical Expertise, Expert institute, Boženy Němcovej 8, 81104 Bratislava, Slovakia;
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Comenius University in Bratislava, Sasinkova 4, 81108 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Correspondence: (A.T.); (N.M.)
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