Evaluation of effectiveness of cranial morphological characteristics for sex estimation in a Brazilian sample

Forensic physical anthropometry allows the determination of animal species and estimates sex, ancestry, age and height. Aim: To analyze the effectiveness of a cranioscopic/ morphological evaluation for sex estimation with a sample of the Brazilian mixed-race population by conducting a qualitative visual assessment without prior knowledge of sex. Methods: This is a blind cross-sectional study that evaluated 30 cranial characteristics of 192 skulls with mandible, 108 male and 84 female individuals, aged 22 to 97 years, from the Osteological and Tomographic Biobank. The qualitative characteristics were classified and compared to the actual sex information of the Biobank database. The statistical analysis was used to calculate de Cohen's kappa coefficient, total percentage of agreement, sensitivity and specificity of visual sex classification. Results: Of the 30 cranial variables analyzed, 15 presented moderate degree of agreement, achieving value of Kappa test between 0.41­0.60: Glabella (Gl), Angle and lines (At), Mental eminence (Em), Mandible size (Tm), Cranial base (Bc), Mouth depth (Pb), Nasal aperture (Anl), Supraorbital region (Rs), Orbits (Orb), Mastoid processes (Pm), Alveolar arches (Aa), Zygomatic arch (Az), Orbital edge (Bo), Supraorbital protuberances (Pts), and Supramastoid crests and rugosity (Crsm). The Facial physiognomy (Ff) presented substantial reliability (0.61-0.80) with 89.8% sensitivity for male sex and 70.2% specificity. Conclusions: Cranial morphological characteristics present sexual dimorphism; however, in this study only 15 variables showed moderate degree of agreement and can be used in sex estimation. Only one variable (Ff) 81.2% total agreement with substantial reliability. Quantitative methods can be associated for safe sex estimation

Dental radiographic anatomy analysis for identification of a carbonized body: case report

Introduction: Dentistry imaging is responsible for providing paramount support for forensic odontologists in cases of cadaveric identification. Nevertheless, in some cases, this assistance becomes essential, as in cases in which all the crowns have proven to be in perfect health standards, and when the dentist is able to identify loss of crown structural integrity, which can occur due to intense thermal action. Objective: To report a case in which forensic odontologists identified acadaver through radiographic comparisons. Case report: In 2018, a carbonized bodyfound inside an incinerated vehicle was referred to an examination aim ingits identification. The comparative analysis used different types of bidimensional images: antemortem panoramic radiograph and postmortem periapical radiographs. There was a total agreement of the dental radiographic anatomy, with emphasis on the root angulation, morphology of root canals, furcation regions, root apexes, the shape of pulp chambers and regions of alveolar trabecular related to both arches, as well as a cavity located in the occlusal surface of the lower right first molar. Conclusion: The compatibility of dental anatomy analyzed through the radiographs was fundamental for a positive result of the dentistry identification process.

Introdução: Os exames de imagem odontológicos fornecem um importante auxílio para os odontolegistas em casos de identificação cadavérica. Porém, em alguns casos, tal auxílio se torna essencial, como nos casos em que todas as coroas dentárias se encontram hígidas e quando ocorre perda da estrutura coronária, podendo ser devido à ação térmica. Objetivo: Relatar um caso em que odontolegistas identificaram um cadáver através de comparações radiográficas. Relato do caso: Em 2018, um cadáver carbonizado no interior de um veículo incinerado foi encaminhado para exame visando sua identificação. A análise comparativa utilizou diferentes tipos de exames bidimensionais: uma radiografia panorâmica antemortem e radiografias periapicais postmortem. Houve total concordância da anatomia dentária radiográfica, destacando-se a angulação das raízes, morfologia dos condutos radiculares, regiões de furca, ápices radiculares, forma das câmaras pulpares e regiões do trabeculado alveolar relativos a ambas as arcadas, além de uma cavidade localizada na face oclusal do primeiro molar inferior direito. Conclusão: A compatibilidade da anatomia dentária observada através das radiografias foi primordial para um resultado positivo do processo de identificação odontológica.

Sexual dimorphism through the study of atlas vertebra in the Brazilian population.

BACKGROUND: Sex determination by linear measurements of the bones is widely used because of the several kinds of death in which the corpses can be damaged. AIM: The aim of this study was to establish a logit for sexual dimorphism through measurements of the atlas vertebra. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The principle sample was composed of 191 skeletons belonging to the Forensic Physical Anthropology Laboratory Prof. Eduardo Daruge. However, first, a calibration with other 25 skeletons was carried out. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a digital caliper, linear measurements were made of the anteroposterior diameter of the atlas vertebra (variable A), anteroposterior diameter of the rachidian canal (variable B), transverse diameter of the rachidian canal (variable C), and maximum transverse diameter of the atlas vertebra (variable D). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data were analyzed using IBM® SPSS® 25 Statistics program. RESULTS: The mean measurements of all four variables for men were higher than that for women, being observed that variable D obtained the major discrepancy between the sexes. Considering both sexes, the variable C obtained the best results of standard deviation, while the variable D achieved the worse results. The t-test observed acceptance about hypothesis that exists differences between the gender and all four measures assessed. The logit developed is sex = -24.970 + 0.183 × A + 0.230 × D, in which "A" represents anteroposterior diameter of the atlas and "D" represents the maximum transverse diameter of the atlas. CONCLUSION: This model results in 81.2% accuracy, 85.5% sensitivity, and 75.3% specificity.

Identification of a Carbonized Body Using Implanted Surgical Plates: The Importance of Computed Tomography.

In addition to clinical examination, forensic odontologists can use diagnostic imaging as an auxiliary method for identification. This paper reports a case where forensic odontologists from the Afrânio Peixoto Legal Medicine Institute in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) positively identified a carbonized and partially calcined body using oral and maxillofacial imaging. The cadaver showed several metallic plates fixed with metallic screws on bones of the neurocranium and viscerocranium. Family members provided spiral computed tomography scans of the skull and a panoramic radiograph that were acquired after an accident that required surgical procedures. Comparative analysis between the clinical exam and the maxillofacial images demonstrated complete coincidence, confirming the victim's identity. Dactyloscopy, which is the most commonly used method of identification, was not possible because of the body carbonization. Thus, diagnostic imaging, especially computed tomography, was essential for elucidation of this case.

Avaliação de aderência dos estudantes de Odontologia em relação ao controle de infecções / Evaluation of infection control adherence in Dental school students

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a aderência às normas de controle de infecção pelo corpo discente da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (FO/UFRJ). Foram aplicados questionários aos alunos com atividades clínicas, abrangendo: proteção pessoal, barreiras, esterilização, desinfecção, descarte de material, atitudes e conhecimentos. Os resultados foram analisados de forma descritiva. A amostra foi de 169 alunos, 31,4% homens e 68,6% mulheres, com média de idade de 22 anos (± 2,18). A maior parte dos procedimentos de controle de infecções foi executada pela maioria dos alunos. Não houve diferença significativa entre os períodos em relação às condutas. A falta de tempo foi apontada como a causa mais frequente para o não cumprimento das normas.

Métodos de identificação em próteses dentárias: uma revisão de literatura / Methods of denture identification: a review of literature

Sabe-se que a identificação de cadáveres por meio da arcada dentária é de extrema importância nas investigações. Entretanto, quando há ausências dentárias se torna mais complicado. Assim sendo, o presente artigo visa, através de uma revisão de literatura, expor diferentes materiais existentes para identificação de próteses removíveis e as técnicas para implantação desses materiais nas próteses, discutindo vantagens e desvantagens. Contudo, chegou-se a conclusão que, dependendo da prioridade do paciente e do dentista, pode-se escolher certo material, desde ele atenda as expectativas de resistência necessárias para caso de identificação através da prótese dentária.