iDENTIfyme Informative Campaign: Raising Forensic Dental Identification Awareness in the Community

The identification of human remains can be performed visually through families and next-of-kin, but it is not advisable to rely only on visual recognition; instead, it is preferable to conduct a forensic comparison of antemortem and postmortem data for primary identifiers (fingerprints, DNA, and dental data). A dental autopsy is particularly valuable in the identification process of skeletonized, carbonized, saponified, and fragmented human remains. The principal challenge in the identification process is the search and collection of antemortem data. To this end, all dental information held on a missing person can represent a precious source of individualizing information that families should share with the police or investigating agencies after reporting a disappearance.

Role of forensic odontology in the identification of victims of major mass disasters across the world: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Forensic odontology (FO) is regarded in the literature as one of the most reliable and economical scientific methods for victim identification in mass disasters (MDs). The present paper systematically reviews the role of forensic odontologists in various global MDs.

METHOD

A comprehensive search of the literature databases (PubMed, Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Google Scholar), along with cross-referencing published peer-reviewed articles, was conducted. The search included full texts, abstracts or titles, had no inclusion year limit (searched until September 2017) and was limited to the English language. Keywords included a combination of 'Forensic odontology', 'Dental records', 'Victim identification', 'Natural mass disaster', 'Criminal mass disaster', 'Accidental mass disaster' and 'Victim disaster'.

RESULTS

Of the included disasters (20), 12 (57.14%) were accidental, 5 (23.80%) natural and 3 (19.04%) were criminal. The maximum number of victims was associated with the Japan tsunami (15892), followed by the Thailand tsunami (4280) and the Estonia ferry disaster (852). A total of 23654 victims were reported, of which 20569 (86.96%) were positively identified. Reports from 17 MDs included the use of FO in victim identification [3025 (14.70%) cases]. In addition, 1094 victims (5.31%; from 7 papers) were identified using FO in combination with other methodologies. The highest percentage of victims was identified using FO following the Kentucky air crash (47; 100%), followed by the Newark air crash (38; 76%), the Nepal air crash (10; 71.42%), the France air crash (56; 65.88%), the Australian bushfire (14; 63.63%), and the Estonia ferry disaster (57; 60.63%).

CONCLUSION

FO has played a significant role in victim identification in several MDs around the world. The success of FO-based identification is heavily dependent on the availability of ante-mortem records from general dental practitioners. Hence, adequate knowledge about FO and appropriate dental record keeping among general dental practitioners are critical.

[Forensic stomatology as independent division of forensic medicine]

A modern condition of identification with use of stomatological state is set out in details. Dissertations of research assistants and competitors of the department of forensic medicine were analyzed in connect with the problem of identification using anatomy, morphological and morphometrical peculiarities of tooth, dental arches, dental plates, oral cavity organs and others. A possibility of identification of sex, age, ethno-racial affiliation using peculiarities of structure of dental-jaw system was presented. A question connected with coverage of this problem in pages of "Forensic examination".

The Third International Intercomparison on EPR Tooth Dosimetry: part 2, final analysis

The objective of the Third International Intercomparison on EPR Tooth Dosimetry was to evaluate laboratories performing tooth enamel dosimetry <300 mGy. Final analysis of results included a correlation analysis between features of laboratory dose reconstruction protocols and dosimetry performance. Applicability of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) tooth dosimetry at low dose was shown at two applied dose levels of 79 and 176 mGy. Most (9 of 12) laboratories reported the dose to be within 50 mGy of the delivered dose of 79 mGy, and 10 of 12 laboratories reported the dose to be within 100 mGy of the delivered dose of 176 mGy. At the high-dose tested (704 mGy) agreement within 25% of the delivered dose was found in 10 laboratories. Features of EPR dose reconstruction protocols that affect dosimetry performance were found to be magnetic field modulation amplitude in EPR spectrum recording, EPR signal model in spectrum deconvolution and duration of latency period for tooth enamel samples after preparation.

Principles of dental identification

Identification of the deceased is an important standard of civilized society, and dental means are accurate and reliable to ensure a proper identification. Using a methodic approach through a preliminary evaluation, postmortem examination, antemortem investigation, and comparison, an experienced forensic dentist can develop all of the requisite information necessary to reach a conclusion regarding the identity. Although there are some questions regarding the way in which the conclusion is developed, dental identification has long been regarded as reliable and accurate. Forensic dentists face greater challenges for the future as the overall incidence of dental restorations decreases and there is increasing reliance on other dental features to ensure a proper identification.

DNA fingerprinting. The future of forensic dentistry--a review

Forensic dental identification is at technological cross roads. The incidence of dental restorations, the mainstay of radiographic dental investigations, have declined. Whereas molecular biology laboratory procedures are rapidly increasing in efficiency and availability. With new typing techniques forensic scientists can characterize individuals at the fundamental level of their DNA, and variations between individuals at this level can be used to discriminated between them. The anatomical location of teeth and the extent to which teeth may suffer environmental changes and still provide useful DNA material has propelled forensic odontology. The techniques of DNS fingerprinting, the role of teeth as a source of DNA material and its feasibility is discussed in relatively simple terms.

The past and present legal weight of bite marks as evidence

Bite mark evidence, which is most often associated with violent crimes, is legally accepted and admissible in a court of law. However, current legal attacks are underway against the admission of such evidence. Indeed, over the last 20 years, bite mark forensics have sustained a multitude of legal challenges, some concerning the constitutional rights of the accused and others the scientific acceptance of such an approach. Bite marks are considered hard evidence and are highly persuasive to juries who weigh the evidence.

The present direction of research in forensic odontology

Forensic odontology is receiving increased attention in the literature and has become a widely recognized field of expertise with broad ramifications. With this growth, research is needed to solve the most pressing problems of the discipline. The purpose of this paper is to identify current trends in research in forensic odontology. The review consisted of studies using the scientific method and reports of new techniques being tested. Also, abstracts from the annual meeting of the Odontology Section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences from 1980 to 1987 have been reviewed to determine the current areas of emphasis in forensic dentistry.