The recovery and repatriation of the remains of Japanese war dead and the roles of physical anthropologists.

During and after World War II, around 2.4 million Japanese died overseas. The bodies of nearly half of them are still missing as they remain in the field where they fell and have never been repatriated. The tasks of recovering and repatriating the remains of Japanese war dead started in 1953 by the former Ministry of Health and Welfare, and are now carried out by the Social Welfare and War Victims' Relief Bureau of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). In 2016, the "Act on Promoting the Recovery of the Remains of Japanese War Dead (Act No. 12 of 2016)" was enacted. The Act designates Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 (from April 2016 to March 2017) to FY 2024 as the period of intensive implementation and stipulates that the state shall establish a process to promote the identification of the war dead. In line with this Act, physical anthropologists were employed as full-time experts by the MHLW to conduct scientific analysis on the remains in the field, and since then, they have accompanied all overseas delegations for repatriation. The authors of this paper have been sent to the sites in the partner countries overseas such as the former Soviet Union, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, and nationally to Ioto (Iwo Jima) to analyze the minimum number of individuals (MNI), ancestry, age at death, and sex of the remains. Along with the morphological investigations, DNA analyses of mitochondrial polymorphism and Y-chromosomal/autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) have been applied for estimation of the ancestry and identification of the individual. By narrowing down the possible candidates based on the historical records such as name list of the missing, if individual identification of the remains is achieved, the remains are returned to the bereaved families, and if not, they are placed in the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery in Tokyo to rest in peace. Also, the implementation of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses with next generation sequencing (NGS) for ancestry is under discussion. This paper provides an overview of the process of recovery and identification of the missing bodies from World War II in Japan.

Factores asociados a la identificación de cuerpos descuartizados o desmembrados en Medellín (Colombia) / Factors associated with the identification of dismembered bodies in Medellín, Colombia

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar los cuerpos desmembrados o descuartizados abordados en la Unidad Básica Medellín del Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses (INMLCF) y establecer los factores asociados con su identificación. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de corte transversal de registros de cuerpos descuartizados o desmembrados que ingresaron al INMLCF de Medellín entre los años 2013 y 2017. Para evaluar las variables asociadas a la identificación de los cadáveres descuartizados o desmembrados se aplicó el test estadístico de chi-cuadrado. RESULTADOS: En el periodo de estudio se encontraron un total de 54 cadáveres. Los factores asociados con la identificación de los cuerpos fueron cuerpos de personas mayores de 26años (OR: 1,22; IC95%: 1,04-1,43; p = 0,043) y los cuerpos encontrados en sitios únicos (OR: 1,22; IC95%: 1,04-1,43; p = 0,043). Los factores asociados con una mayor probabilidad de no lograr una identificación fueron ser hombre (OR: 1,14; IC95%: 1,02-1,27; p = 0,435) y los cuerpos descuartizados (OR 1,14; IC95%: 1,02-1,28; p = 0,354). DISCUSIÓN: La identificación de cuerpos descuartizados y desmembrados es un reto para el médico forense colombiano, pero conocer los factores asociados con su identificación favorece su adecuado abordaje, lo que mejoraría este proceso

OBJECTIVE: To characterise the dismembered bodies dealt with in the Medellín Basic Unit of the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences (INMLCF) and establish the factors associated with their identification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study of records of dismembered bodies that entered the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences of Medellin between 2013 and 2017. To evaluate the variables associated with the identification of dismembered bodies, using the chi-square statistical test. RESULTS: A total of 54 bodies were found during the study period. The factors associated with the identification of the bodies were bodies of people older than 26years (OR: 1.22; 95%CI: 1.04-1.43; P=.043) and bodies found in unique sites (OR: 1.22; 95%CI: 1.04-1.43; P=.043). The factors that were associated with a higher probability of not achieving identification were being male (OR: 1.14; 95%CI: 1.02-1.27; P=.435) and dismembered bodies (OR: 1.14; 95%CI: 1.02-1.28; P=.354). DISCUSSION: The identification of dismembered bodies is a challenge for the Colombian coroner, but knowing the factors associated with their identification enables an appropriate approach which would improve this process

The legislation, search, recovery, identification and repatriation of conflict casualties worldwide: Introducing the WWI and WWII Special Issue.

Conflict casualties refer to those individuals who are lost due to military conflict or war. The involvement of forensic archaeologists and anthropologists in the legal search, recovery, documentation, identification, and repatriation/reburial of conflict casualties is well known. Internationally, there are a number of professional organisations who ethically recover and identify these individuals. However, at the same time, some organisations and individuals have raised significant concerns about working in other countries, understanding specific laws and protocols, and how the whole recovery and identification process should be undertaken. Through this special issue, Forensic Science International is interested in promoting these investigative good-practice procedures, illustrated with case studies, and ethical and legal considerations when undertaking and disseminating these humanitarian missions to the wider forensic community. This Special Issue focuses primarily on the First and Second World Wars, yet other conflicts are covered, and includes the views and perspectives from different organisations within specific countries in the format of original papers, commentaries, and case reports. Specifically, these papers include the legislative regulations, information regarding the authorities to be consulted on and who deal with human remains, the organisations and professionals who are involved with the recovery and analysis of human remains, the process of identification, and how this information is disseminated to the public.

Forgotten in time: The state of legislation, recovery, identification, and repatriation of World War I and II soldiers in Slovakia.

Recovery, identification, and burial of casualties from World War I and II is still a topic of interest in many countries. In Slovakia, recent discoveries of such remains are usually accidental. Unfortunately, in many cases the remains are disrupted and without any material culture present, rendering the identification of the victim almost impossible. Majority of accidental skeletal remains are analyzed by legal medical doctors at forensic medicine departments spread across ten regional workplaces around the country. The aim of the paper is to point out the problems with recovery and identification of World War I and World War II remains in Slovakia.

Investigation of WWII/postwar mass burials in Croatia-The implementation of the Croatian model of searching for the imprisoned and missing persons.

The search for victims of World War Two (WWII) and the immediate aftermath period (postwar) in Croatia started together with the search for Homeland War victims in 1991. It continued through years, most often sporadically and in a non-homogenous way. It was just with the adoption of the Law on Research, Arrangement and Maintenance of Military Cemeteries, Cemeteries of Victims of WWII and Postwar Period in 2013 that the search became more structured and gained a formal governmental body responsible for the organization and supervision of the activities related to it. It was then that the well-established model of searching for Homeland War victims, based on many years of field work and research, started to be implemented in the search and analysis of WWII/postwar victims. The model represents a continuously growing and developing project which encompasses a wide variety of steps and procedures, from the investigation of alleged burial locations to the analysis and reburial of recovered mortal remains. From its implementation in 2016, it allowed the successful investigation of 1300 alleged burial locations, 484 field surveys, 42 exhumations and the recovery of remains of more than 1600 individuals. Besides, care for military cemeteries, marking of mass burial sites and arranging of international treaties are conducted in order to guarantee proper handling, relocation and repatriation of all those that perished during WWII and the postwar period.

Unidentified human remains discovered within Polish territory: Traces of the difficult history of the twentieth century.

Poland, due to its geographical location, has been a place where the interests of neighbouring countries have converged. As a result, Polish territory has been the site of hostilities, totalitarian terror, and acts of genocide. Following the end of World War II, Poland became part of the so-called Eastern Bloc. A movement known as the anti-communist underground arose within Polish territory with the aim of conducting partisan warfare and political and propaganda activities against the occupiers. Partisans were victims of campaigns of liquidation; they lost their lives during interrogations, died in prisons, were sentenced to death by Polish courts, and were subsequently buried at unknown sites throughout the country. In connection with war and post-war events within Polish territory, the remains of victims of both World War II and post-war political repressions are being found to this day. In addition, remains derived from historical populations are being discovered as well as present-day remains belonging to missing persons or victims of criminal offences. A portion of the remains resulting from military operations and the post-war history of Poland are discovered by chance, but discovery of the burial sites of victims of communist crimes is often preceded by many years of research. International agreements and Polish legal regulations make it possible to search for victims of armed conflicts of various nationalities within the country. The process of identifying victims of armed conflicts, political terror and genocide can be carried out thanks to routine procedures for handling unidentified remains. Given the diversity (various historical periods, various nationalities) of the discovered remains, the elaborated procedures enable their dignified burial.

Sex Identification Based on Tooth Crown Trait Analysis Among the Mongoloid Race

Abstract Objective: To determine whether anterior and posterior tooth crown traits exhibit sexual dimorphism and identify traits characteristic to the Mongoloid race, especially among the Indonesian population. Material and Methods: This study cross-sectional study analyzed 108 dental casts from 36 males and 72 females. The traits analyzed included winging, shoveling, double shoveling, canine mesial ridge, canine distal accessory ridge, hypocone, metaconule, Carabelli's cusp, protostylid, metaconulid, enteconulid, and hypoconulid. All tooth crown traits were scored based on the ASUDAS scoring system. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the absolute and relative frequencies. The Chi-square tests was used to determine significant differences in anterior and posterior tooth crown traits between males and females. Level of significance was set at 5%. Results: None of the traits showed sexual dimorphism. Moreover, the most common traits among the Mongoloid race were hypocone (94.4%) and shoveling (86.1%). Conclusion: Although none of the traits exhibited sexual dimorphism, most of them had a higher incidence among females than males. Nonetheless, further research including adequate samples and a similar number of females and males, is needed, especially for population studies.

Sharp force trauma analysis in bone and cartilage: A literature review.

Sharp force trauma (SFT) in bone and cartilage has been studied extensively. This literature review summarizes knife and saw mark research. Researchers have documented several features of cut surfaces and successfully associated them with various tool characteristics. Most study designs are based on light microscopic examination, but other technologies such as micro-computed scanning, scanning electron microscope, and epifluorescence microscopy have been investigated. Researchers have worked with human and non-human material, and found that the presentation of SFT differs between the two. Furthermore, they have designed studies to control the parameters surrounding SFT (e.g., tool angle, force, direction) as well as not to control these parameters (real-world scenario) and have found that the trauma produced in the two scenarios differ considerably. Researchers have attempted to calculate the error rate associated with cut and saw mark analysis and have reported very different results. Several high profile cases of successful SFT analysis have been published and are briefly reviewed. Expert testimony based on cut and saw mark analysis has been found admissible, but not in all cases. Unfortunately, researchers have not consistently used standard terminology, a list of terms gathered from the literature is provided. Despite the extensive research, more work is needed. Methods that mitigate potential sources of error that are not dependent on analyst's experience must be developed.

A systematic review of the agreement between chronological age and skeletal age based on the Greulich and Pyle atlas.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review examines the agreement between assessed skeletal age by the Greulich and Pyle atlas (GP skeletal age) and chronological age. METHODS: We searched electronic databases until January 2017 for studies reporting GP skeletal age and confirmed chronological age in healthy individuals aged 10-25 years. Results are presented as forest plots and meta-analyses (random-effects models). RESULTS: In separate meta-analyses for each age group and sex (14-18 years for girls, 14-19 years for boys), the pooled mean differences between GP skeletal age and chronological age varied from -0.52 years to 0.47 years. In individual studies, age group and sex-specific mean differences between GP skeletal age and chronological age rarely exceeded 1 year, but between-study heterogeneities were large in most age groups. Few studies examined mean chronological age and distribution for each GP skeletal age. One study of good methodological quality indicates that 95% prediction intervals for chronological age from given GP skeletal ages are typically around 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: There is still good correlation between GP skeletal age and mean chronological age in modern populations. However, the individual variation of development within a population and heterogeneities between studies are substantial. KEY POINTS: • The GP atlas still corresponds well with mean chronological age in modern populations. • The substantial variation within a population must be considered. • The heterogeneity between studies is relatively large and of unknown origin.

Appraising forensic anthropology in the Philippines: Current status and future directions.

The increasing significance of forensic anthropology in the 21st century, yet unequitable worldwide distribution of expertise, necessitates a stocktaking of the discipline on a local scale. The purpose of this work is to appraise the current state of forensic anthropology in the Philippines and provide the rationale for its further development within the country. Recent efforts in research, education, and legislation that seek to boost Philippine forensic anthropology specifically and forensic sciences generally are highlighted. Furthermore, this work hopes to serve as a springboard for future students, scholars, and practitioners seeking to advance the field in the Philippines.

Análisis de funciones discriminantes para la estimación del sexo con la mandíbula en población mexicana / Gender assessment using the mandible in the mexican population

Introducción. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivos: conocer el grado de dimorfismo sexual entre una población de la Ciudad de México y otra de Hidalgo, México; y el desarrollo de funciones discriminantes para la estimación de sexo por medio de la mandíbula, para identificación humana. Material y métodos. Se analizaron morfométricamente mandíbulas de dos muestras, una procedente de la Ciudad de México (MEX) (Colección-UNAM) y otra de Santa María Xigui, Alfajayucan, Hidalgo, México (XIG). La muestra MEX consistió en 108 mandíbulas (75 masculinos y 33 femeninos) y en la muestra XIG se utilizaron 56 mandíbulas (33 femeninos y 30 masculinos), con una edad media entre 49,2 y 55,1 años. Se tomaron 18 medidas mandibulares y se desarrollaron cuatro funciones discriminantes para estimar el sexo con cada muestra. Resultados. Se observó el mismo patrón de diferenciación en ambas poblaciones, no obstante se presentaron diferencias entre estas, ya que se demostró que existe mayor grado de diferencias sexuales en XIG. Las funciones discriminantes desarrolladas para ambas poblaciones, alcanzaron entre el 76,4 y 84% de clasificación sexual correcta. Conclusiones. La muestra XIG presentó mayor dimorfismo sexual que la muestra MEX, con mandíbulas más alargadas y mentones altos y alargados. Las funciones discriminantes del presente trabajo presentan porcentajes de clasificación mayores a los de las demás propuestas existentes. Y al ser desarrolladas a partir de población contemporánea, pueden ser utilizadas en contextos forenses para identificación humana con restos completos o fragmentados y/o incompletos (AU)

Introduction. The aims of the present study were to determine the level of sexual dimorphism among two populations, one from Mexico City and the other from Hidalgo, Mexico, as well as the development of discriminant functions for gender assessment using the mandible, for human identification. Material and methods. Two samples of mandibles were analysed morphometrically, one from Mexico City (Colección-UNAM) (MEX), and the other from Santa María Xigui, Alfajayucan, Hidalgo, México (XIG). The sample MEX consisted of 108 mandibles (75 male and 33 female), and XIG sample with 56 mandibles (33 female and 30 male), with a mean age between 49.2 to 55.1 years old. Eighteen measurements were taken to create four discriminant functions for gender estimation for each sample. Results. The differentiation pattern among populations (samples) was the same. Nevertheless, there were differences between them, with a higher degree of sexual difference in XIG. The discriminant functions, developed for both populations, achieved a correct classification in between 76.4 and 84%, respectively. Conclusions. The XIG sample showed greater sexual dimorphism than the MEX sample, with longer mandibles and higher and elongated chins. The discriminant functions generated in this study, present higher classification percentages than the other existing proposals. Furthermore, being developed from the contemporary population, they can be used in forensic contexts for human identification, with complete or fragmented/incomplete remains (AU)

Esqueletización de lesiones en un cadáver descuartizado y congelado / Skeletonization of injuries in a dismembered and frozen body

No disponible

Fractura de radio por proyectil que permite reproducir la posición de la víctima / Fracture of radius by projectile allowing to reproduce the position of the victim

No disponible

[Stature estimation from teeth and jaw].

After the discovery of skeletonized human remains, the estimation of stature is an important element of the so-called "biological profile". Typically, long bone lengths are used in regression formulas. If long bones are not available, predictions of stature cannot be made. Human skulls are often the subject of forensic osteological examination, sometimes even detached. Therefore, it seems reasonable to search for skull measurements that have a sufficiently good correlation to stature. The aim of the study presented was to measure odonto-stomatological parameters using post-mortem CT data to check whether the esti- mation of stature was possible on this basis. Three classic tooth dimensions (MD, BL, ZL), two diagonal tooth dimensions (MBDL, DBML) first described by Lund and Mörnstad in 1999, two tooth dimensions defined for the first time in this study (MKDO, DKMO), the mesiodistal index (MDS) and also the palatal arch dimensions (arch length, arch width, molar length and dental length) - each at maxilla and mandible - were digitally measured on a total of 799 teeth of 48 virtual 3-D-reconstructed skulls (33 males and 15 females). For most of the aforementioned measurements no statistically significant relation to stature was found. There were positive correlations by Pearson at a significance level of 99 % (2-sided) at three measurements: ZL 15, MKDO 14 and MKDO 15. Positive correlations by Pearson at a significance level of 95 % (2-sided) could be determined for eight measurements, but an applicable regression formula could not be calculated for any of the parameters. Despite a statistical correlation of a few teeth parameters with body length, they must be considered unsuitable for estimating stature.

La identificación genética como herramienta en la investigación de adopciones irregulares y sustracción de recién nacidos en España: experiencia del Instituto Nacional de Toxicología y Ciencias Forenses (Departamento de Barcelona) / Genetic identification as a tool in research of irregular adoptions and abduction of newborns in Spain: National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Science (Department of Barcelona) experience

Introducción. Los casos de adopciones irregulares y sustracción de recién nacidos en España han tenido una gran repercusión social, lo que ha conllevado la elaboración de reformas normativas y el desarrollo de guías y recomendaciones científicas que ayuden a su investigación. El objetivo del presente estudio fue la identificación genética de las muestras remitidas mediante estudios de parentesco. Material y métodos. Entre 2011-2014 se recibieron en el Departamento de Barcelona del Instituto Nacional de Toxicología y Ciencias Forenses 58 casos sobre los que se requirió judicialmente un estudio de identificación genética. Se analizaron restos óseos exhumados o muestras clínicas. Tras el estudio previo (antropológico y anatomopatológico) se procedió a la extracción del material genético y su posterior análisis. Resultados. La calidad y cantidad del ADN recuperado permitió el análisis genético en el 67,2% de los casos, frente al 32,8% donde no fue posible. Los datos muestran que mayoritariamente (87,2%) se estableció una relación de compatibilidad paterno-filial, siendo minoritarias las exclusiones (12,8%). El índice de verosimilitud osciló entre 1,75 × 104-5,95 × 1017 y los STR estudiados de 8-21. Conclusiones. Los datos y experiencia adquirida muestran la importancia de la recopilación de la información, de los antecedentes del caso y del estudio antropológico previamente al análisis genético. Esta información permite orientar los estudios genéticos y, ocasionalmente, ayuda a interpretar los resultados. Asimismo, las características de este tipo de muestras obligan a establecer un protocolo de calidad que garantice la autenticidad de los resultados finales (AU)

Introduction. Cases of irregular adoptions and abduction of newborns in Spain have had got a great social impact which has led to regulatory reforms and the implementation of scientific guidelines and recommendations to help their investigation. The objective of the study was the genetic identification of the samples submitted by kinship studies. Materials and methods. In the period between the year 2011 and 2014, the Barcelona Department of the National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences,received a total of 58 cases on which it was judicially required to carry out a study of genetic identification. Exhumed bones or clinical samples were analyzed. After previous study (anthropological, anatomo-pathological), the extraction of genetic material and its subsequent analysis were carried out. Results. The quality and the quantity of recovered DNA allowed carrying out genetic analysis in 67.2% of cases, compared to 32.8%, where it was not possible. The data show that for the majority ofthe cases studied (87.2%) was established a positive relationship, being minority the cases of exclusion (12.8%). The likelihood ratio (LR) obtained, ranged from 1.75 × 104-5.95 × 1017, and the STR markers studied from 8 to 21. Conclusions. Experience and data show the importance of gathering information, the history related to the caseand the importance of the anthropological study prior to genetic analysis. This information allows orienting the genetic studies and, in some cases, it helps to interpret the results. Also, the characteristics of this type of samples require establishing a quality protocol that ensures the authenticity of the final results (AU)

Parámetros forenses del sistema Powerplex® 21 (Promega Corp) en población mestiza del occidente de México / Forensic parameters of the Powerplex® 21 System (Promega Corp) in mestizo populations from the West of Mexico

Introducción. Los microsatélites o short tandem repeats son los marcadores de elección en identificación humana, para lo cual se deben analizar en las poblaciones. Esta tarea se ha realizado escasamente con los sistemas genéticos de nueva generación, lo cual es crítico en las poblaciones mestizas de México, ya que se ha demostrado una subestructura genética significativa por diferencias en sus componentes de mezcla. Objetivo. Hacer la validación poblacional del sistema de análisis genético Powerplex® 21 en mestizos de la región occidente de México. Material y métodos. Se analizaron 374 individuos no emparentados residentes de la región occidente de México con el sistema Powerplex® 21. Los datos genéticos se analizaron con diversos programas estadísticos y se compararon con poblaciones de referencia. Resultados y conclusiones. Se determinaron las frecuencias alélicas y la distribución de genotipos de todos los marcadores estuvieron en equilibrio Hardy-Weinberg; la prueba de desequilibrio de ligamiento descartó asociaciones entre pares de loci. Se estimaron los siguientes parámetros de interés forense para el sistema PowerPlex® 21: poder ddee discriminación (PD), poder de exclusión (PE), (heterocigosidad (Het), (contenido de información polimórfica (PIC) e índice de paternidad (IP) típico, cuyo poder de discriminación y exclusión combinado fue -100% y 99,999999473%, respectivamente. Esto constituye un incremento importante respecto a lo ofrecido por sistemas tradicionales con 15 short tandem repeats para la misma población/región. La información reportada valida el uso del sistema PowerPlex® 21 en mestizos del occidente de México para interpretar de forma confiable perfiles de ADN en pruebas de paternidad y casos forenses (AU)

Introduction. Microsatellites or short tandem repeats (STR) are the markers of choice in human identification. For this purpose, they must be analyzed in populations. This task has been scarcely performed for new generation human identification systems, which is critical in Mexican mestizo populations, because a significant genetic structure has been demonstrated due to admixture differences. Objective. To validate the System in mestizo populations from the west region of Mexico. Methods. A total of 374 unrelated Mexican-mestizos from the west region were analyzed with the Powerplex® 21 system. Genetic data were analyzed using different softwares and including additional related populations for comparison purposes. Results and conclusions. We estimated allele frequencies, and genotype distribution of all markers was in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg expectations; the linkage disequilibrium test discarded association between all pair of loci. The following forensic parameters were estimated: power of discrimination (PD), power of exclusion (PE), heterozygosity (Het), polymorphism information content (PIC), and typical paternity index (PI); its combined power of discrimination and exclusion was -100% and 99.999999473%, respectively. This constitutes an important increment with respect to typical 15 STR systems for the same population/region. This report validates the PowerPlex® 21 system in western Mexican-mestizos for confident interpretation of DNA profiles in forensic cases and paternity testing. Sistema Powerplex® 21; México; Identificación humana; Poblaciones (AU)

[DNA Ancestry and phenotype markers analyses and French law]. / Traits phénotypiques, origins bio géographiques et legislation française.

Since some of the genetic markers involved in the analyses are single nucleotide polymorphisms located in protein-coding regions or exons, their analyses are today forbidden for forensic application in French law. A recent application of the French Criminal Chamber of "Cour de Cassation" indicates that it would be possible to perform phenotypic studies and Ancestry Informative Markers (AIM) analysis on stain samples but not on samples taken from a body. The authors present the results of the HIrisplex test performed on seven bone samples belonging to a Mongolian Altaï population dated from the late Bronze Age. On account of the obtained results, the authors raise the question of the use of HIrisplex test on corpses and on skeletonized human remains for their identification.

Verificação da praticabilidade e da unicidade na queiloscopia e na palatoscopia como métodos de identificação humana / Checking the feasibility and uniqueness in cheiloscopy and palatoscopy as human identification methods

Introdução: Na odontologia forense, a cavidade oral tem um importante papel devido a sua anatomiaúnica. A queiloscopia e a rugoscopia são métodos de identificação seguros e acurados. Objetivos: Osobjetivos da presente pesquisa foram: a) avaliar a praticabilidade das técnicas empregadas; b) avaliar aunicidade das amostras; c) traçar um perfil das rugas palatinas e sulcos labiais de alunos do curso deOdontologia da UERN. Materiais e métodos: Foram feitas moldagens no palato com o auxilio demoldeiras de estoque e alginato. Modelos de estudo foram feitos com gesso tipo III. Para a obtenção dasimpressões labiais, foram utilizados um batom de cor vermelha, uma folha de papel de cor branca e umaplaca de vidro. Para classificar as impressões labiais foi utilizado o sistema de classificação de Suzuki eTsuchihashi. Para a classificação das rugas palatinas foi o utilizado o sistema de Martin dos Santos.Resultados: Ao todo foram coletadas 60 amostras, sendo 30 impressões labiais e 30 modelos comimpressões das rugas palatinas. As rugas palatinas do tipo sinuosa foram as mais encontradas. Os sulcoslabiais com maior ocorrência foram dos tipos bifurcados. Conclusões: A queiloscopia e a palatoscopiasão técnicas de identificação humana aplicáveis, porém é necessário que mais estudos sejam realizadospara que as mesmas sejam utilizadas com mais frequência entre os órgãos de investigaçõescompetentes. As técnicas mostraram-se exequíveis e as amostras singulares. Foi encontrada uma maiorocorrência de rugas palatinas sinuosas e uma predominância de sulcos labiais bifurcados.

Introduction: In forensic dentistry, the oral cavity plays a very important role because of the uniqueanatomy. The cheiloscopy and palatoscopy are self and accurate methods of identification. Objectives:The objectives of this research were: a)assess the feasibility of techniques b) assess the uniqueness ofthe sample c) draw a profile of wrinkles and furrows lip palate of students of Dentistry, UERN. Methods:Impressions on the palate were made with stocks trays and alginate and making the study model wasmade with plaster type III. To obtain the lip prints were used lipstick red color, a sheet of white paper and aglass plate. To sort the lip prints it was used the classification system of Suzuki and Tsuchihashi. For theclassification of palatal rugae was the system used Martin dos Santos. Results: Altogether 60 sampleswere collected, with 30 lip prints and 30 models with palatal rugae. The palatal rugae winding type werefound with higher occurrence. The highest occurrence labial furrows were bifurcated type. Conclusions:The cheiloscopy and palatoscopy are applicable human identification techniques, but it is necessary thatmore studies be conducted so that they are used more frequently among competent organs ofinvestigations. The techniques were feasible and the samples were singular. A higher occurrence ofwinding palatine rugae and a predominance of bifurcated labial grooves were found.

La rugoscopia palatina forense como método de identificación humana a traves del análisis comparativo / Rugoscopia palatina as the Forensic Identification Method of Human through the comparative analysis

Introducción. La Identificación es el método o sistema empleado para fijar de la manera más segura la identidad de una persona en la vida jurídica, tanto civil como penal y evitar confundirla con otra. La Rugoscopia es una técnica de identificación odonto-estomatológica que se preocupa por estudiar, clasificar y registrar las rugosidades palatinas. Objetivo. Proporcionar elementos de juicio para la identificación de personas vivas o muertas a través de estructuras anatómicas específicas dentro de la cavidad oral. Pacientes y Metódos. Para la recolección de datos se realizó la toma de impresión del maxilar, en veinte pacientes atendidos en la clínica de la Carrera de Odontología de la Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras en el Valle de Sula (UNAH-VS), luego se procedió a la Calcorugoscopia. El duplicado obtenido se dividió por la línea media y se registraron las formas y números de formas palatinas de cada lado. El paso siguiente fue el llenado de ficha de cada uno de los modelos pertenecientes a los individuos. Resultados. De los 20 pacientes estudiados la forma más común encontrada en el paladar derecho es las curva (24 rugas), en el paladar izquierdo fue la recta (27 rugas). Conclusiones. Las Rugas Palatinas son diferentes de un indivi-duo a otro, en una misma persona ambas mitades del paladar son diferentes. La Calcorusgoscopia es un método de identificación que no permite la presunción...AU)