Proposal of a formula mouth opening reduction assessment, for forensic purposes.

OBJECTIVES: To propose a formula for determining reduced mouth opening due to oral and maxillofacial trauma, based on the normal standard of the Brazilian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: First, the maximum mouth opening was established, in millimeters, using a digital pachymeter, in patients between 22 and 60 years of age. The opening was measured from the upper to the lower incisor, at maximum amplitude, without pain and overbite. Second, the facial profile type and height were determined. A formula was developed to calculate the percentage of reduced mouth opening based on the normal average. RESULTS: The average mouth opening was found to be 51.71 mm in men and 47.94 mm in women, thus establishing a statistically significant difference in mouth opening between sexes. However, there was no statistically significant difference between age and profile type with mouth opening. The following formulas were developed to calculate the reduced mouth opening, based on the averages found, by using RA= [100-(A.1.93)].0.3 for males and RA= [100-(A.2,08)] .0.3 for female patients. CONCLUSION: Considering that mouth opening tends to be larger in men than in women, valid formulas can be used to determine the correct percentage of reduced mouth opening.

Morphologic alterations ear, nose and lip detected with aging through facial photoanthropometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the morphologic alterations of the human face over the time is an essential step towards optimal simulations of facial age progression. In practice, these simulations contribute to the forensic routine by tracking and recognizing missing persons. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the morphometric facial alterations with aging - concerning specifically the development of ear, nose and lip in relation to other facial structures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 700 photographs taken standardly in frontal view from male and female Caucasian subjects aged from 20 to 80 years old. The sample was divided in 7 age groups (20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 years old), in which 50 males and 50 females were distributed homogenously. Photoanthropometric analysis was applied with SAFF 2D® 2.0.05 (SEPAEL/INC, Federal Police, Brazil) software package considering 36 facial landmarks. A single examiner analyzed the sample aided by two other examiners for the assessment of intra-/inter-rater reliability. RESULTS: The most evident alterations found in the facial structures consisted of the enlargement of the nose and ears with aging, as well the reduction in size of the lip thickness. These alterations varied considerably in the specific age ranges studied in this research being different between males and females. CONCLUSION: The present outcomes indicated the possibility of quantifying morphometric alterations observed in the human face with aging. These alterations may support the forensic practice providing tools for age estimation based on photographic analyses.

Taurodontism and its forensic value: a case report.

Taurodontism is an anomaly that affects posterior teeth, vertically increasing the size of the pulp chamber, mimicking the shape of bovine teeth, being only evidenced in diagnostic images. This report describes a case of taurodontism in a mandibular second molar, highlighting the forensic importance of this dental anomaly with relevant potential for human identification, not only for its morphological aspect but also for its relatively low frequency in mandibular second molars. In the case under study, the individual did not have any restored teeth. Thus, the set of diverse imaging modalities is fundamental to identify the anatomy of teeth and roots, the only information that could be used in a hypothetical identification situation, assigning to this anomaly an exceptional relevance as a potential characteristic for positive identification.