Forensic thanatology and the pink tooth phenomenon: From the lack of relation with the cause of death to a potential evidence of cadaveric decomposition in dental autopsies - Case series.

Forensic thanatology comprises the investigation of every phenomenon related to death performed through cadaveric exams. The pink tooth phenomenon (PTP) emerges as a thanatological finding registered during medical or dental autopsy. The PTP consists of a reddish or pink coloration caused in the teeth by the penetration of pulpal hemoglobin in the dentinal tubules. Initially, the PTP was associated with specific violent deaths, such as drowning, hanging and poisoning. However, scientific reports have pointed towards the occurrence of PTP as an expression of cadaveric decomposition regardless of the cause of death. The present study aims to report eight dental autopsies of victims of violent death that presented the PTP. The autopsies were conducted by forensic pathologists and dentists between 2013 and 2018. Seven victims were males and one was female. The age ranged above 6years old. Cranio-encephalic trauma, firearm shooting and asphyxia figured as the causes of death. All the victims were in advanced decomposition. The PTP was detected in deciduous and permanent, anterior and posterior and maxillary and mandibular teeth. Forensic experts, especially dentists, must be aware of the PTP for more detailed registration of postmortem findings and more accurate cadaveric exams.

O Uso de Imagens em Redes Sociais e o Respeito ao Paciente Odontológico / The Use of Images in Social Networks and the Respect for the Dental Patient

A relação profissional de saúde-paciente requer uma série de condições para que o serviço de cuidado possa ser prestado com segurança, beneficiando ao máximo os sujeitos envolvidos. Uma destas condições está relacionada a alguns deveres dos profissionais de saúde para com os pacientes: respeito à autonomia, à privacidade e à confidencialidade das informações obtidas. Esses deveres podem estar comprometidos quando os profissionais de saúde desenvolvem como prática a publicação de imagens de pacientes em redes sociais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar sob uma perspectiva ética e legal as imagens da rede social virtual conhecida por Instagram em que apareçam pacientes odontológicos utilizando palavras-chave que recuperassem imagens associadas às diversas especialidades odontológicas. Por meio de análise de conteúdo, identificou-se que cirurgiões-dentistas têm publicado imagens de pacientes que neste trabalho foram classificadas em cinco categorias: procedimento; antes e depois; caso clínico; pose com paciente; exames complementares e afins. Foram avaliadas 123 imagens sendo os maiores responsáveis pelas publicações perfis de cirurgiões-dentistas (46,4%) e de estudantes de odontologia (28,5%). A publicação de imagem de pacientes em redes sociais é contraindicada por argumentos fundamentados em perspectivas ética e legal, podendo até mesmo trazer aos profissionais de saúde problemas de ordens administrativa, cível e penal.(AU)

The health professional-patient relationship requires a series of conditions for which the care service can be provided with safety, benefiting at the most the subjects involved. One of these conditions is related to some duties of health professionals with the patients: respect to autonomy, to privacy and the confidentiality of the information obtained. These duties can be compromised when health professionals develop as practice the publication of patient images in social networks. The objective of this work was to analyze under a legal and ethical perspective the images of the social network virtual known by Instagram where odontological patients appear using keywords that recover images associated to the various specialized dental services. By means of the content analysis, it was identified that dental surgeons have published images of patients which in this study were classified into five categories: procedure; before and after; clinical case; posturing with patient; complementary exams and suchlike. 123 images were evaluated being the most responsible for publications profiles of dental surgeons (46.4%) and of dental students (28.5%). The publication of patients images in social networks is contraindicated by arguments substantiated in legal and ethical perspective, and may even bring to health professionals problems of administrative orders, civil and criminal matters.(AU)

Identifying murder victims with endodontic radiographs.

Endodontics is a special branch of dentistry constantly guided by imaging examinations. From a forensic scope, endodontics plays a valuable role providing solid antemortem (AM) radiographic evidence for comparison with postmortem findings in human identifications. This study illustrates the interface between endodontics and forensic odontology describing three cases of human identification based on radiographic endodontic records. From 2009 to 2012, three unknown male victims of murder were examined in a local Brazilian medico-legal institute to retrieve identity and potential cause of death. Specifically, when asked for AM data, a relative of the three victims provided periapical radiographs of endodontic treatments. Based on that, forensic dentists reproduced the same imaging acquisition techniques obtaining similar periapical radiographs, enabling a comparative dental identification. All the victims were positively identified based on patterns of dental morphology and treatment intervention. This study draws the attention of general and forensic dentists highlight the importance of properly recording dental treatments and searching for evidence in AM endodontic data, respectively.

Delineamento dental computadorizado das bordas incisais, em fotografias de sorriso, com finalidade pericial / Computerized dental delimitation of incisal edges in smile photographs with forensic purposes

Introdução: O aumento da criminalidade no Brasil tem gerado um incremento dos casos de identificação humana envolvendo corpos carbonizados, putrefeitos e esqueletizados nos Institutos Médicos Legais dopaís. Neste contexto, a Odontologia Legal tem demonstrado sua importância na identificação humana porvárias técnicas, dentre elas a identificação por meio de fotografias do sorriso. Objetivo: Demonstrar, pormeio de um relato de caso, a execução da técnica de demarcação da linha incisal em fotografiascasuais/sociais de sorriso utilizando o software Power Point®(Microsoft®, Redmond, EUA), com finalidadede identificação humana. Relato de caso: um cadáver parcialmente carbonizado foi examinado para determinação da causa mortis e identificação humana. Diante da inexistência de registrosmédico/odontológicos, os supostos familiares foram orientados a apresentarem fotografias em que apessoa desaparecida aparecesse sorrindo, a fim de que essas fossem comparadas com fotografias análogas produzidas a partir das arcadas dentárias do cadáver. Por meio da delimitação das linhas incisais dos dentes inferiores utilizando o Power Point®(Microsoft®, Redmond, EUA) e comparação comlinha semelhante produzida a partir das fotografias de sorriso fornecidas, foi possível a identificaçãopositiva do cadáver. Conclusão: Apesar de a técnica ilustrada poder ser realizada com outros programasde computador, o Power Point®(Microsoft®, Redmond, EUA) permite a obtenção do delineamento incisalcom maior facilidade e com a mesma confiabilidade de programas mais complexos, em casos de análisepericial do sorriso.

Criminality increased in Brazil in the last years. Consequently, human identification cases involvingcharred and putrefied bodies, as well skeletal remains, became more prevalent. In this context, forensic dentistry played an important role enabling several pathways to aid human identifications, including the analysis of smile photographs. Objective: To report a case of human identification illustrating the techniqueused for tracing the contour of incisal borders using Power Point®(Microsoft®, Redmond, USA) softwarepackage in smile photographs. Case report: An unknown partially charred human body was referred fordental identification and investigation on the cause of death at the local medico-legal institute. In the lackof ante-mortem (AM) medical/dental data potential relatives of the victim were asked to provide socialphotographs showing the teeth of the victim (smile photographs). The obtained photographs were used forcomparison with photographs produced post-mortem (PM). In both AM and PM photographs the contour ofthe incisal borders were traced using Power Point®(Microsoft®, Redmond, USA) software package andqualitatively matched for a positive identification. Conclusion: Extracting the incisal contour of human teethis feasible through commonly used software packages and may support forensic investigations based onidentity.

Human identification through the analysis of smile photographs.

The comparison between antemortem and portmortem data comprehends the basis of the dental identification process. High-tech devices allow for optimal manipulation of postmortem data. However, in especial situations, the victims do not have records of dental treatments, making necessary the search for antemortem data from personal belongings. Smile photographs are one of the most common sources of dental information detected from personal belongings. In this context, the present study reports a forensic case in which a charred body was positively identified through the application of 3 techniques for the analysis of smile photographs.

Human identification through the patella--Report of two cases.

The human identification process is often performed by the comparison between acquired post-mortem (PM) fingerprints, dental patterns, or DNA sample with ante-mortem (AM) databases. However, in some special situations alternative sources of human identifiers reveal valuable part as forensic tools. In this context, medical records of surgical interventions and morphological bone traits are useful in the anthropological environment, specifically for the PM examination of skeletal remains. The present study reports two cases of positive human identifications by the comparative analysis between AM and PM radiographic medical records of surgically treated human patella. The present outcome highlights the importance of storing and updating medical records in order to aid human identification processes in special forensic situations.

Importance of the comparative anatomy in Forensic Anthropology: case report

Introduction: In forensic sciences, reconstructive victim profile is a commonly used procedure to provide individual data in cases of complex human identifications. In forensic anthropology, valuable data are obtained from skeletal and dental analysis such as gender, age, ancestry, stature, and differentiation between human and non-human remains. Objective: To highlight the relevance of comparative anatomy analysis to differentiate human and non-human remains. Case report: Four bone fragments and one tooth were found on a potential crime scene, and were submitted to forensic examinations. The examinations revealed non-human anthropological remains. Additionally, the analyzed bones and tooth were classified as animal remains, specifically from a domestic dog (Canis lupus familiares). Conclusion: In this context, it is relevant to be trained and aware of the usefulness of comparative anatomy into the forensic anthropology routine in order to perform complete and accurate examinations.

Importância pericial das radiografias da articulação do punho para a identificação humana / Forensic importance of the wrist joint radiographs to human identification

Os autores relatam um caso pericial de identificação de corpo carbonizado utilizando radiografias pré e pós-cirúrgicas de uma fratura óssea na articulação do punho. Nessas radiografias foram evidenciadas particularidades da placa e parafusos utilizados na redução da fratura, coincidentes com os achados necroscópicos. Ressalta-se como imprescindível o arquivamento dos exames radiográficos, por poderem ser utilizados na resolução de questões legais.

The authors report a forensic case of identification of charred body using medical radiographs of wrist joint, produced to visualize an osteal fracture. In this radiographs was evidenced several peculiarities of plaque and screws utilized in the reduction of the fracture, compatible with thanatologic exam. The importance of the correct achievement of medical radiographs to solve some legal questions is emphasized.

Radiografias odontológicas: fonte de informação para a identificação humana / Dental radiographs: sourche of information for the human identification

A Odontologia Legal pode contribuir para o esclarecimento de diversos aspectos jurídicos e a identificação humana de cadáveres em avançado estágio de decomposição, esqueletizados e carbonizados contitui uma das áreas mais importantes desta especialidade. Sabendo que a técnica de identificação odontolegal necessita de material adequado para a realização do confronto de informações e as radiografias odontológicas contém características relevantes para o processo de individualização das pessoas, o presente trabalho tem ocmo objetivo demosntrar a importância destas peças, especialmente as periapicais, como fonte de informação para a identificação humana. Neste contexto, será apresentado um caso pericial onde foram utilizadas radiografias contendo imagens com qualidade apropriada para confronto e que permitiram a determinação da identidade de um indivíduo que veio a óbito decorrente de acidente automobilístico seguido de incêndio. Com o correto processamento e arquivamento das radiografias odontológicas, os clínicos poderão ter em sua guarda uma documentação que permita o adequado acompanhamento dos tratamentos odontológicos realizados e eventualmente, subsidiar informações para a justiça.