Personal identification and missing persons initiatives in Santa Catarina state, Brazil: forensic perspectives from 2019 to 2021.

Santa Catarina is a small, developed, and relatively safe state in South Brazil. Despite having positive social economic indicators, it still faces multiple challenges regarding forensic practices for personal identification. The objective of this paper is to discuss the recent advances and current challenges in the region, from the perspectives of anthropological and dental postmortem human identification, missing persons, and disaster victim identification (DVI) from 2019 to 2021. The recent creation of a Forensic Anthropology Sector (SAF) in the state's official forensic institution (Polícia Científica-PCI) has significantly improved identification of unidentified remains and optimised resources available for DNA analysis. However, SAF is still quite understaffed, which negatively affects the recovery of skeletal material, its preparation, and the time needed for filing reports. Santa Catarina has passed legislation for missing persons in 2015, 4 years prior to the sanction of federal laws implementing the national policy for the disappeared. Nonetheless, a lack of integration between stakeholders remains a problem that PCI has tried to circumvent with the Conecta Programme, a multidisciplinary and integrated initiative between families of the missing persons, police agencies, and the Public Ministry. The programme aims to collect not only reference DNA samples, but also relevant anthropological and dental data. It also offers facial progression services in cases of disappearances that occurred many years ago. Despite a history of disasters in the state, PCI still needs to implement international DVI standards at an institutional level. Recent training on Phase 1 DVI procedures, integrated with other responding institutions, indicates better preparation for future disasters. There are many challenges ahead for Santa Catarina's forensic institution and professionals that have yet to be addressed, but the overall situation on routine personal identification, missing persons initiatives, and DVI has improved over the last 2 years.

Facial soft tissue depth measurements in cone-beam computed tomography: A study of a Brazilian sample.

Forensic facial reconstruction (approximation) (FFR) is an aid to human identification when no presumed identity is available. It is based on average soft tissue thickness (STT) applied onto a skull. These averages vary at each landmark according to sex, ancestry, and Facial Growth Patterns (FGP). To obtain the reference, there are different protocols and conditions, such as needles in cadavers, ultrasound, magnetic resonance, and computer tomography. Using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), landmark placement and direction of measurement are critical. The purpose of this article is to detailly describe a method for STT measurement in CBCT DICOM files and to test it in the analysis of a multi-ancestral Brazilian sample, subdivided into sex, age and FGP. A sample of 100 (50 male and 50 female) CBCT exams were selected and the volume was primarily been repositioned to cephalometric standards. A detailed description of the location and measurement direction of 32 landmarks was provided and granted good reproducibility of the measurements. The averages were assessed by sex, age, and FGP. There were significant differences between males and females. The CBCT measuring protocol provided standardization of measurements and is a method to be used in future researches. Advantages of CBCT, such as the subject's upright position and adjustable volume positioning, also justify its usage. Limited differences of STT were related to age and FGP. The updated Brazilian soft tissue thickness chart is a reliable source of data for forensic and clinical purposes.

Análise ético-jurídica da publicidade odontológica no Instagram / Ethical and legal analysis of Odontology-related advertisement on Instagram

A restrição à publicidade odontológica coíbe a mercantilização, resguarda a privacidade do paciente e o protege como consumidor. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a adequação da publicidade na rede Instagram® ao regramento vigente. Numa amostra de 384 perfis profissionais, avaliaram-se postagens públicas à luz da Lei 5.081/1966, Código de Defesa do Consumidor e Código de Ética Odontológica. A identificação adequada não foi feita por 35,4%. Já 3,6% anunciaram especialidades não reconhecidas. A expressão "popular" foi utilizada por 27,1%. Houve publicidade abusiva (16,4%) ou enganosa (8,3%). Serviços gratuitos foram anunciados (9,4%), com divulgação de preços (5,5%). Usando a imagem do paciente (79,4%), constatou-se divulgação de resultados clínicos (72,9%). Houve identificação do paciente em 68,2%, com uso adequado da imagem em apenas 9,1% dos casos. As imagens de antes/depois foram usadas em 76,6% das postagens. As inadequações sem a imagem do paciente orbitam entre infração ética, exercício profissional ilícito e desrespeito ao direito consumerista. Conclui-se que a publicidade odontológica veiculada no Instagram® apresentou condutas ilícitas e antiéticas, com e sem o uso da imagem do paciente o que pode configurar prejuízos ao paciente, ao profissional e à Odontologia como profissão da área de saúde.

Ethical and legal aspects of the use of fake drugs for orofacial aesthetics ­ a case report

Introduction: Over the last decade, Botulinum Toxin (BT) gained space in the armamentarium of drugs used for orofacial aesthetics. The contemporary scenario of Dentistry led to new horizons within aesthetic treatments founded on the application of BT. Objective: This study aimed to report a case of fake type-A BT sold to a dentist on training for orofacial aesthetics. Material and methods: During a 16-hour training course, a dentist bought form a reference seller a "so-called" quality drug allegedly consisting of type-A BT. After suspecting of fake drug based on uncommon label and flask, the dentist sent images of the product to the laboratory responsible for registering the drug at the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). Results: The laboratory confirmed the fake drug. ANVISA blocked the commercialization, use and distribution of the product as well as made efforts to remove the available products from the market. Parallel police investigations were carried out and forensic expertise for drug profiling was accomplished ­ confirming the fake drug. Conclusion: This study drives attention to the possibility of existing fake drug commercialization to dentists dedicated to orofacial aesthetics, and the potential impact of this drugs if used in patients. Consequences might extend to penalties in the consumer relation interface, as well as in the criminal field as offense against public health.

Comparação entre cinco sistemas de digitalização 3D por fotogrametria aplicados à antropologia forense e odontologia legal / Comparison of five photogrammetry 3D digitizing systems of applied to Forensic Anthropology and Forensic Dentistry

A análise forense de restos mortais e outros vestígios pode ser complementada pela digitalização tridimensional (3D). A fotogrametria de curta distância, consiste na extração de informações geométricas 3D a partir de imagens fotográficas. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar cinco sistemas de digitalização (Photoscan®, 123dCatch®, ReCap360®, PPT-GUI® e OpenMVG®+MVS®) quanto à operabilidade e qualidade das malhas 3D geradas a partir de 42 fotografias de um crânio seco, tomadas com um smartphone. Duas escalas métricas ABFO nº2 foram posicionadas rente ao crânio. Após o processamento, as nuvens de pontos 3D resultantes foram convertidas em malhas 3D e/ou texturizadas quando necessário, e redimensionadas em escala 1:1. O número de vértices, faces, fator de escala e uma medida conhecida foram registrados. Recortou-se as regiões que não faziam parte do crânio e novamente o número de faces e vértices foi registrado. Para operabilidade, avaliou-se tempo de processamento, necessidade de conexão à Internet, funcionalidade limitada por versão não paga, texturização automática, entre outros parâmetros. Para qualidade, as malhas também foram avaliadas em seu aspecto visual, em seu aspecto quantitativo de vértices e faces, e diferença estatística das médias das medidas. Embora o uso de duas escalas idênticas tenha gerado artefatos, todos os programas geraram malhas tridimensionais adequadas, com algumas diferenças no resultado final e na operação. Cada ferramenta obteve resultados satisfatórios dentro de suas particularidades. Photoscan® teve operabilidade e resultados bons, porém seu custo pode ser um obstáculo. ReCap360® e 123dCatch® são fáceis de operar, mas dependem de Internet e possuem funcionalidade limitada.

Forensic analysis of skeletal remains and other evidence can be complemented by three-dimensional (3D) scanning. Among the available methods, close-range photogrammetry consists of extracting 3D geometric information from photographic images. The objective of this study was to compare five systems (Photoscan®, 123dCatch®, ReCap360®, PPT-GUI® and OpenMVG®+MVS®) regarding the operability and quality of 3D meshes generated from 42 photographs of a dry skull, taken with a smartphone. Two ABFO n.2 metric scales were placed next to the skull. After processing, the resulting 3D point clouds were converted into 3D meshes and textured when necessary, and resized in 1:1 scale. The number of vertices and faces was recorded. Then, all regions that were not part of the skull itself were cut out and again the number of faces and vertices was recorded. For operability, it was evaluated the processing time, need for Internet connection, functionality limited by unpaid version, automatic texturing, among other parameters. For quality, the meshes were also evaluated in their visual aspect and in their quantitative aspect of vertices and faces, and statistical difference of the mean of the measurements. Although the use of two identical scales has produced artifacts, all programs have generated adequate 3D meshes, with some differences in the result and operation. Each tool reached satisfactory results within its particularities. Photoscan® had good operability and results, but its cost may represent an obstacle. ReCap360® and 123dCatch® are easy to operate, but depend on internet connection and have limited functionality.

Luiz Lustosa da Silva e o surgimento da Odontologia Legal no Brasil ­ revisão em acervo jornalístico e de literatura / Luiz Lustosa da Silva and the appearance of the Forensic Dentistry in Brazil ­ a journalistic and literature review

Luiz Lustosa da Silva assina a autoria do primeiro livro brasileiro de Odontologia Legal (1924) como ciência autônoma, à parte da, então, Medicina Legal Aplicada à Arte Dentária. Entretanto, permanecia pouco conhecida sua biografia, 120 anos após seu nascimento. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um vasto levantamento histórico em acervo bibliográfico e jornalístico que trouxesse luz à sua trajetória profissional. Graduado em Odontologia, também teria cursado Engenharia e Direito. Sua carreira foi marcada por uma significativa quantidade de publicações, inclusive citadas em obras estrangeiras clássicas, como o 'Forensic Odontology' de Gustafson (1966). Teve excepcional atuação em diversas searas da especialidade, onde se destacam perícias em casos de repercussão, como a identificação por parâmetros odontológicos do 'Desconhecido de Collegno', o estudo prosopográfico do crânio do Regente Feijó, além de atuações em casos de responsabilidade profissional. De temperamento forte, foi aclamado enquanto cientista, docente, perito e inventor. Ensinou Odontologia Legal na Academia de Polícia de São Paulo por 34 anos. É documentalmente reconhecido como o criador da Odontologia Legal após marcante participação no Primeiro Congresso Panamericano de Medicina Legal, Odontologia Legal e Criminologia, em Havana (1946), onde discursou delimitando as bases científicas que tornaram a disciplina uma área independente da Medicina Legal. Faleceu em 1974, frustrado com os Conselhos Federal de Odontologia e Regional de Odontologia de São Paulo pelo não reconhecimento de seu diploma de graduação, obtido na Escola de Livre de Odontologia e Pharmacia de Pindamonhangaba (SP). O legado deixado por Luiz Lustosa às gerações posteriores foi fundamental para a consolidação da Odontologia Legal e dentre as homenagens póstumas recebidas, a mais recente foi feita pela Associação Brasileira de Ética e Odontologia Legal (ABOL), em 2016, instituindo a comemoração do Dia Nacional do Odontolegista em 4 de setembro, coincidindo com sua data de nascimento.

Luiz Lustosa da Silva signed the first Brazilian book on Forensic Dentistry (1924) as an autonomous science, apart from the so called Legal Medicine Applied to Dental Art. However, his biography was scarcely known, 120 years after his birth. The objective of this study was to carry out a vast historical survey on bibliographic and journalistic files to shed light on his professional trajectory. Graduated in Dentistry, he would have also studied Law and Engineering. His career was marked by a significant amount of publications (papers and books), which were even cited in classic foreign books, such as Gustafson's 'Forensic Odontology' (1966). He has had exceptional performance in several areas of the specialty, and excelled in notorious cases, such as the identification by dental means of the 'John Doe from Collegno', the prosopographic study of the skull of the Regent Feijó, as well as cases on professional liability. With a strong temperament, he was acclaimed as scientist, professor, expert and inventor. Silva taught Forensic Odontology at the São Paulo Police Academy for 34 years. Silva is documented as the creator of the Forensic Dentistry subject after a distinguished participation in the First Pan American Congress of Legal Medicine, Forensic Odontology and Criminology in Havana (1946), where he addressed the scientific bases that made the discipline an independent field from Forensic Medicine. Silva died in 1974, frustrated with the Federal and São Paulo Regional Councils of Dentistry for not recognizing his undergraduate degree, obtained at the Free School of Dentistry and Pharmacology of Pindamonhangaba (SP). Luiz Lustosa Silva´s legacy to the later generations was fundamental for the consolidation of Forensic Dentistry. Among the posthumous honors received by him, the most recent one was made by the Brazilian Association of Ethics and Legal Dentistry (ABOL) in 2016, establishing the commemoration of the National Day of the Forensic Dentist on September 4th, coinciding with his date of birth.