La odontología en la identificación de sucesos con víctimas múltiples / Forensic odontology in human identification in multiple victims’ incidents

La aprobación en 2009, del Protocolo Nacional de actuación Médico-Forense y de Policía Científica en sucesos con víctimas múltiples, supuso la base normativa para regular formalmente los procedimientos y técnicas que deben aplicarse, como las distintas tareas forenses que se tienen que realizar en los supuestos de sucesos con víctimas múltiples en España. En este artículo se revisan los procedimientos y métodos que se emplean en odontología forense para la identificación humana en casos de grandes catástrofes con múltiples víctimas. Dado que el reconocimiento de las características individualizadoras de las piezas dentarias, y en general los datos bucodentales, supone un proceso altamente especializado, resulta imprescindible el apoyo técnico de odontólogos/as forenses con experiencia en este campo, quienes dispondrán de la formación y los conocimientos necesarios para la realización de la toma de registros dentales, la interpretación precisa de los resultados y la obtención adecuada de las conclusiones. Finalmente se incluyen recomendaciones para la elaboración de los informes forenses de identificación odontológica. (AU)

The approval in 2009, of the Protocolo Nacional de actuación Médico-Forense y de Policía Científica en sucesos con víctimas múltiples, was the basic normative to formally regulate both the technical procedures that must be applied, and the different tasks to be carried out in a disaster victim incident in Spain. This article reviews the procedures and techniques used in forensic odontology for human identification in DVI incidents with multiple victims. Given that the recognition of the individualizing characteristics of the teeth, and in general the odontological data, supposes a highly specialized process, it is essential the assistance of forensic dentists with experience in this field, who will have the training and the knowledge to carry out the dental procedures such as documenting dental records, accurate interpretation of the results and withdraw precise dental identification conclusions. Finally, recommendations for the preparation of forensic dental identification reports are included in this review. (AU)

Developmental dental anomalies and their potential role in establishing identity in post-mortem cases: a review.

Teeth may provide useful forensic evidence owing to features like uniqueness, stability and comparability. Moreover, the human dentition is heterodont, i.e. all the teeth have different morphology - incisors, canines, premolars and molars. There are sometimes deviations from normal morphology, such as the presence of extra teeth, variation in their shape and size eg the presence of an extra cusp, fractured crown/root, Carabelli's cusp, peg laterals, transpositions, fusion, etc. These differences can help forensic personnel identify bodies, especially where other methods of identification like facial features, fingerprints or DNA typing cannot yield satisfactory results as in cases of badly decomposed bodies, burnt remains, mass disasters, etc. Identification from dentition is based on the direct comparison of post-mortem dental profiles with ante-mortem dental records of the deceased. This article aims to review these developmental and morphological dental traits and their role in post-mortem identification.

Research Progress of Age Estimation Based on the Demirjian's Method.

ABSTRACT: In recent years, individual age estimation has gained increasing attention in forensic practice. Common age estimation methods mainly use developments of teeth and bones. Compared with bones, teeth are stronger and are highly resistant to external factors, therefore plays an important role in age estimation. Demirjian's method is one of the most commonly used methods to evaluate dental age and has been widely used in many countries. In this paper, the accuracy of its application in different populations is reviewed. It is found that compared with the chronological ages, most of the estimated ages are overestimated. By combining research results of many scholars and by analyzing, it can be assumed that this situation may be related with race, region, sex, etc.

Research Progress of Age Estimation Based on the Demirjian's Method / 法医学杂志

In recent years, individual age estimation has gained increasing attention in forensic practice. Common age estimation methods mainly use developments of teeth and bones. Compared with bones, teeth are stronger and are highly resistant to external factors, therefore plays an important role in age estimation. Demirjian's method is one of the most commonly used methods to evaluate dental age and has been widely used in many countries. In this paper, the accuracy of its application in different populations is reviewed. It is found that compared with the chronological ages, most of the estimated ages are overestimated. By combining research results of many scholars and by analyzing, it can be assumed that this situation may be related with race, region, sex, etc.

Role of forensic odontology in the identification of victims of major mass disasters across the world: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Forensic odontology (FO) is regarded in the literature as one of the most reliable and economical scientific methods for victim identification in mass disasters (MDs). The present paper systematically reviews the role of forensic odontologists in various global MDs. METHOD: A comprehensive search of the literature databases (PubMed, Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Google Scholar), along with cross-referencing published peer-reviewed articles, was conducted. The search included full texts, abstracts or titles, had no inclusion year limit (searched until September 2017) and was limited to the English language. Keywords included a combination of 'Forensic odontology', 'Dental records', 'Victim identification', 'Natural mass disaster', 'Criminal mass disaster', 'Accidental mass disaster' and 'Victim disaster'. RESULTS: Of the included disasters (20), 12 (57.14%) were accidental, 5 (23.80%) natural and 3 (19.04%) were criminal. The maximum number of victims was associated with the Japan tsunami (15892), followed by the Thailand tsunami (4280) and the Estonia ferry disaster (852). A total of 23654 victims were reported, of which 20569 (86.96%) were positively identified. Reports from 17 MDs included the use of FO in victim identification [3025 (14.70%) cases]. In addition, 1094 victims (5.31%; from 7 papers) were identified using FO in combination with other methodologies. The highest percentage of victims was identified using FO following the Kentucky air crash (47; 100%), followed by the Newark air crash (38; 76%), the Nepal air crash (10; 71.42%), the France air crash (56; 65.88%), the Australian bushfire (14; 63.63%), and the Estonia ferry disaster (57; 60.63%). CONCLUSION: FO has played a significant role in victim identification in several MDs around the world. The success of FO-based identification is heavily dependent on the availability of ante-mortem records from general dental practitioners. Hence, adequate knowledge about FO and appropriate dental record keeping among general dental practitioners are critical.

Epidermis and Enamel: Insights Into Gnawing Criticisms of Human Bitemark Evidence.

Critics describe forensic dentists' management of bitemark evidence as junk science with poor sensitivity and specificity and state that linkages to a biter are unfounded. Those vocal critics, supported by certain media, characterize odontologists' previous errors as egregious and petition government agencies to render bitemark evidence inadmissible. Odontologists acknowledge that some practitioners have made past mistakes. However, it does not logically follow that the errors of a few identify a systemic failure of bitemark analysis. Scrutiny of the contentious cases shows that most occurred 20 to 40 years ago. Since then, research has been ongoing and more conservative guidelines, standards, and terminology have been adopted so that past errors are no longer reflective of current safeguards. The authors recommend a comprehensive root analysis of problem cases to be used to determine all the factors that contributed to those previous problems. The legal community also shares responsibility for some of the past erroneous convictions. Currently, most proffered bitemark cases referred to odontologists do not reach courts because those forensic dentists dismiss them as unacceptable or insufficient for analysis. Most bitemark evidence cases have been properly managed by odontologists. Bitemark evidence and testimony remain relevant and have made significant contributions in the justice system.

Avaliação penal de lesões dentais por peritos odontolegistas de Instituto Médico Legal - Brasil / Evaluación penal de lesiones dentales por expertos odontolegistas de Instituto Médico Legal - Brasil / Assessment of dental injuries by forensic odontology experts from the Legal Medicine Institute, Brazil

Introdução: o Código Penal Brasileiro tipifica, em seu artigo 129, o crime de lesão corporal como sendo a ofensa à integridade corporal ou a saúde de outrem. As penas previstas para este crime são graduadas de acordo com o resultado gerado pela lesão, sendo este estabelecido por meio do exame pericial requisitado pela autoridade competente. As lesões dentais são frequentes neste tipo de exame, sendo que as suas resultantes, expressas no Código Penal Brasileiro, são muito discutidas no âmbito pericial, existindo muitas divergências entre examinadores distintos. Objetivo: verificar a interpretação penal de lesões em dentes ântero-superiores por Peritos Oficiais Odontolegistas do Instituto Médico Legal Nina Rodrigues (Salvador, Bahia, Brasil). Métodos: foram analisados 2 738 laudos emitidos no período de janeiro de 2007 a dezembro de 2011, por estes peritos nesse intervalo de cinco anos. O critério de inclusão foi a descrição de acometimento de dente permanente na região ântero-superior e o critério de exclusão foi o não enquadramento com segurança em algum tipo de lesão especificada. A coleta de dados foi feita por um único indivíduo, o qual teve acesso aos laudos. As lesões dentais descritas nos laudos foram classificadas e codificadas, de forma a facilitar as anotações e os estudos estatísticos por meio do teste do Qui-Quadrado e teste Kappa (software R, versão 2.15.2, R Development Core Team, 2012) (p≥ 0,05). Resultados: dos 2 738 laudos, 277 atenderam os critérios de inclusão, em que 32,16 porcento descreviam fraturas dentais coronárias simples, 31,72 porcento como fraturas complexas e 36,12 porcento como avulsão. Os resultados obtidos apresentaram uma forte associação entre o perito examinador e a resultante penal estabelecida, na análise de lesões dentais. Conclusão: conclui-se que a avaliação penal das lesões dentais mostrou-se fortemente subjetiva, sendo necessários maiores estudos e discussões a respeito do tema, de forma a minimizar a subjetividade(AU)

Introducción: el Código Penal brasileño tipifica en su artículo 129, el delito de lesiones corporales como la ofensa a la integridad corporal o la salud de los demás. Las penas por este delito se clasifican de acuerdo con los resultados generados por la lesión, que se establece a través de un examen forense ordenado por la autoridad competente. Lesiones dentales son comunes en este tipo de examen, y del análisis de sus resultados a partir del Código Penal brasileño, es tema de frecuentes debates entre expertos forenses, con muchas divergencias entre los distintos examinadores. Objetivo: investigar la interpretación penal de las lesiones en los dientes anteriores superiores por expertos Oodontolegistas Oficial Forense Instituto Nina Rodrigues (Salvador, Bahia, Brasil). Métodos: se analizaron 2 738 informes emitidos entre enero de 2007 y diciembre de 2011, por los expertos en un intervalo de cinco años. El criterio de inclusión fue la descripción de la afectación de los dientes permanentes en la región anterior superior y el criterio de exclusión fue no haber implicación segura en algún tipo de lesión especificada. La reunión de datos fue hecha por un solo individuo, que tuvo acceso a los informes. Lesiones dentales que se describen en los informes fueron clasificadas y codificadas con el fin de facilitar las notas y estudios estadísticos mediante la prueba de chi cuadrado y la prueba de Kappa (software R, versión 2.15.2, Core Development Team R, 2012) (p≥ 0,05). Resultados: de los 2 738 informes, 277 cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión, en los cuales 32,16 por ciento describe fracturas dentales simples coronarias, 31,72 por ciento fracturas complejas y 36,12 por ciento como avulsión. Los resultados muestran una fuerte asociación entre el experto forense y criminal establecido que resulta en el análisis de las lesiones dentales. Conclusiones: se concluye que la evaluación penal de lesiones dentales era fuertemente subjetiva, lo que requiere más estudios y debates sobre el tema, con el fin de reducir al mínimo la subjetividad(AU)

Introduction: Article 129 of the Brazilian Penal Code defines the crime of bodily harm as damage to the physical integrity or the health of others. Penalties for this crime are graded in keeping with the consequences of the injury, determined by forensic examination indicated by the corresponding authority. Dental injuries are common in this type of examination, and analysis of results based on the Brazilian Penal Code is the object of frequent debate among forensic experts, with many divergences between the various examiners. Objective: Analyze the penal interpretation of injuries to upper front teeth provided by official forensic odontology experts from Nina Rodrigues Forensic Institute (Salvador, Bahia, Brazil). Methods: Analysis was conducted of 2 738 expert reports issued in the five-year period extending from January 2007 to December 2011. The inclusion criterion was description of injury to permanent upper front teeth, whereas the exclusion criterion was lack of certainty as to the consequences of the injury specified. Data were gathered by a single individual, who had access to the reports. The dental injuries described in the reports were classified and encoded to facilitate annotation and the performance of statistical studies based on chi-square estimation and the kappa test (R software version 2.15.2, R Core Development Team, 2012) (p≥ 0.05). Results: Of the 2 738 reports, 277 met the inclusion criterion. Of the injuries described therein, 32.16 percent were classified as simple dental crown fractures, 31.72 percent as complex fractures, and 36.12 percent as avulsions. Results show the close relationship between forensic experts and criminal investigators in the analysis of dental injuries. Conclusions: Penal assessment of dental injuries was markedly subjective, requiring further study and discussion to minimize such subjectivity(AU)

Avaliação penal de lesões dentais por peritos odontolegistas de Instituto Médico Legal - Brasil / Evaluación penal de lesiones dentales por expertos odontolegistas de Instituto Médico Legal - Brasil / Assessment of dental injuries by forensic odontology experts from the Legal Medicine Institute, Brazil

Introdução: o Código Penal Brasileiro tipifica, em seu artigo 129, o crime de lesão corporal como sendo a ofensa à integridade corporal ou a saúde de outrem. As penas previstas para este crime são graduadas de acordo com o resultado gerado pela lesão, sendo este estabelecido por meio do exame pericial requisitado pela autoridade competente. As lesões dentais são frequentes neste tipo de exame, sendo que as suas resultantes, expressas no Código Penal Brasileiro, são muito discutidas no âmbito pericial, existindo muitas divergências entre examinadores distintos. Objetivo: verificar a interpretação penal de lesões em dentes ântero-superiores por Peritos Oficiais Odontolegistas do Instituto Médico Legal Nina Rodrigues (Salvador, Bahia, Brasil). Métodos: foram analisados 2 738 laudos emitidos no período de janeiro de 2007 a dezembro de 2011, por estes peritos nesse intervalo de cinco anos. O critério de inclusão foi a descrição de acometimento de dente permanente na região ântero-superior e o critério de exclusão foi o não enquadramento com segurança em algum tipo de lesão especificada. A coleta de dados foi feita por um único indivíduo, o qual teve acesso aos laudos. As lesões dentais descritas nos laudos foram classificadas e codificadas, de forma a facilitar as anotações e os estudos estatísticos por meio do teste do Qui-Quadrado e teste Kappa (software R, versão 2.15.2, R Development Core Team, 2012) (p≥ 0,05). Resultados: dos 2 738 laudos, 277 atenderam os critérios de inclusão, em que 32,16 porcento descreviam fraturas dentais coronárias simples, 31,72 porcento como fraturas complexas e 36,12 porcento como avulsão. Os resultados obtidos apresentaram uma forte associação entre o perito examinador e a resultante penal estabelecida, na análise de lesões dentais. Conclusão: conclui-se que a avaliação penal das lesões dentais mostrou-se fortemente subjetiva, sendo necessários maiores estudos e discussões a respeito do tema, de forma a minimizar a subjetividade(AU)

Introducción: el Código Penal brasileño tipifica en su artículo 129, el delito de lesiones corporales como la ofensa a la integridad corporal o la salud de los demás. Las penas por este delito se clasifican de acuerdo con los resultados generados por la lesión, que se establece a través de un examen forense ordenado por la autoridad competente. Lesiones dentales son comunes en este tipo de examen, y del análisis de sus resultados a partir del Código Penal brasileño, es tema de frecuentes debates entre expertos forenses, con muchas divergencias entre los distintos examinadores. Objetivo: investigar la interpretación penal de las lesiones en los dientes anteriores superiores por expertos Oodontolegistas Oficial Forense Instituto Nina Rodrigues (Salvador, Bahia, Brasil). Métodos: se analizaron 2 738 informes emitidos entre enero de 2007 y diciembre de 2011, por los expertos en un intervalo de cinco años. El criterio de inclusión fue la descripción de la afectación de los dientes permanentes en la región anterior superior y el criterio de exclusión fue no haber implicación segura en algún tipo de lesión especificada. La reunión de datos fue hecha por un solo individuo, que tuvo acceso a los informes. Lesiones dentales que se describen en los informes fueron clasificadas y codificadas con el fin de facilitar las notas y estudios estadísticos mediante la prueba de chi cuadrado y la prueba de Kappa (software R, versión 2.15.2, Core Development Team R, 2012) (p≥ 0,05). Resultados: de los 2 738 informes, 277 cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión, en los cuales 32,16 por ciento describe fracturas dentales simples coronarias, 31,72 por ciento fracturas complejas y 36,12 por ciento como avulsión. Los resultados muestran una fuerte asociación entre el experto forense y criminal establecido que resulta en el análisis de las lesiones dentales. Conclusiones: se concluye que la evaluación penal de lesiones dentales era fuertemente subjetiva, lo que requiere más estudios y debates sobre el tema, con el fin de reducir al mínimo la subjetividad(AU)

Introduction: Article 129 of the Brazilian Penal Code defines the crime of bodily harm as damage to the physical integrity or the health of others. Penalties for this crime are graded in keeping with the consequences of the injury, determined by forensic examination indicated by the corresponding authority. Dental injuries are common in this type of examination, and analysis of results based on the Brazilian Penal Code is the object of frequent debate among forensic experts, with many divergences between the various examiners. Objective: Analyze the penal interpretation of injuries to upper front teeth provided by official forensic odontology experts from Nina Rodrigues Forensic Institute (Salvador, Bahia, Brazil). Methods: Analysis was conducted of 2 738 expert reports issued in the five-year period extending from January 2007 to December 2011. The inclusion criterion was description of injury to permanent upper front teeth, whereas the exclusion criterion was lack of certainty as to the consequences of the injury specified. Data were gathered by a single individual, who had access to the reports. The dental injuries described in the reports were classified and encoded to facilitate annotation and the performance of statistical studies based on chi-square estimation and the kappa test (R software version 2.15.2, R Core Development Team, 2012) (p≥ 0.05). Results: Of the 2 738 reports, 277 met the inclusion criterion. Of the injuries described therein, 32.16 percent were classified as simple dental crown fractures, 31.72 percent as complex fractures, and 36.12 percent as avulsions. Results show the close relationship between forensic experts and criminal investigators in the analysis of dental injuries. Conclusions: Penal assessment of dental injuries was markedly subjective, requiring further study and discussion to minimize such subjectivity(AU)

Development and evaluation of online education to increase the forensic relevance of oral health records.

BACKGROUND: Human identification can be reliably established by dental comparison; success is significantly impacted by inadequate ante-mortem information. Previous Australian research revealed suboptimal recording of features important for forensic dental identification and compliance with Dental Board of Australia guidelines. We hence created and evaluated an online education programme aimed at improving oral health practitioner recording. METHODS: An interactive learning module (ILM) was constructed and released to three focus groups representing practitioners with varying experience levels: Australian Society of Forensic Odontology members, third year dental students and the wider dental community. Pre- and post-participation perceptions were recorded, with percentage, mean, broad agreement, standard deviation and statistical significance between responses determined. RESULTS: Improved recognition of importance of record keeping, knowledge, confidence, skill and motivation to learn was seen following ILM interaction. This was particularly significant for students, participants with 3-5 years of experience in their current occupation and those whose highest level of education was achieved in Australia. CONCLUSIONS: The ILM increased self-reported awareness, understanding and attitude of participants with different levels of case note recording experience; this can improve recording practises and aid forensic dental identification if utilized in undergraduate teaching and as a continuing professional development tool for dental practitioners.

Bite Mark Analysis in Foodstuffs and Inanimate Objects and the Underlying Proofs for Validity and Judicial Acceptance.

Even though one of the first bite mark cases was Doyle v. State in 1954 (a bitten cheese case), the research has focused on bite marks inflicted in human skin. As published Papers, Case Reports, or Technical Notes can constitute precedents which are relied upon in making the legal arguments and a considerable amount of case law exists in this area, we present a systematic review on bite mark analysis in foodstuffs and inanimate objects and their underlying proofs for validity and judicial acceptance according to Daubert rulings. Results showed that there is vulnerability in these procedures, and it is essential to demand for focus scrutiny on the known error rates when such evidence is presented in trials. These kinds of bite marks are well documented; however, there has been little research in this field knowing that the protocols of analysis and comparison are the responsibility of the forensic odontologists.

Stabilisation of dental structures of severely incinerated victims at disaster scenes to facilitate human identification.

Fatalities due to fire events such as bushfires, domestic and industrial fires and vehicle accident related incineration, leave victims with limited prospects of being accurately identified. Due to their morphology and anatomical position teeth are uniquely protected in incineration cases and via comparison to dental records often provide the only scientifically valid means of identification. However, extreme heat and direct exposure to flame can render the teeth extremely fragile and vulnerable to damage and loss especially during collection and transportation to the mortuary. Here we highlight the advantages of forensic odontology assistance at the scene of such events and discuss techniques and protocols applied to actual cases in which these processes were used to facilitate the identification of incineration victims.

Inconsistency in opinions of forensic odontologists when considering bite mark evidence.

There has been controversy surrounding the principles of bite mark analysis, and also the opinions reached by forensic odontologists. The purpose of this study was to assess the consistency of opinions formed by forensic odontologists, both for individual odontologists after a period of time, and between odontologists. 23 forensic odontologists participated, and opinions on 4 cases per member were requested. The request was then repeated after a 8 week period. Results highlighted an inconsistency in opinions between odontologists, and also an inconsistency in opinion for individual members over time, even for experienced odontologists. Inconsistencies varied from whether the mark could be from human or animal, and also from adult or child. In conclusion, the authors recommend that bite mark evidence should be treated with caution.

Roles y responsabilidades del odontólogo como auxiliar de la justicia / Dentists´ roles and responsibilities as auxiliaries to justice

La ciencia odontológica cuenta con diversas metodologías a la hora de brindar auxilio a la Justicia, tanto en la resolución de casos criminales como en procedimientos de índole civil y laboral. La odontología legal requiere de un trabajo interdisciplinario con las otrasespecialidades odontológicas. En ese contexto, el rol capital del perito odontólogo es contribuir al esclarecimiento de la identidad de unapersona. El diente es susceptible de variantes fisiológicas y patológicas en sus estructuras, como así también estigmas inherentes a los tratamientos restauradores, hechos que confiere información dental que individualiza a una persona. Las piezas dentarias pueden ser utilizadas como un arma en determinadas circunstancias, brindando información relevante sobre los caracteres odontológicos de la víctimay/o del agresor, pudiendo entonces desempeñar la odontología legal un importante rol en la investigación de situaciones de agresión sexual yabuso en todas las edades. El odontólogo en su tarea asistencial tiene la responsabilidad de labrar y documentar de manera fiel y completasu devenir profesional, pudiendo ser requerido por las autoridades encargadas de administrar Justicia en casos de responsabilidad profesional, negligencia, fraude, abuso, e identificación de restos humanos.

Dental science has various methodologies when providing aid to justice, both in solving criminal cases and civil procedures and labor issues.Legal Dentistry requires interdisciplinary work with other dental specialties. In this context, the principal role of the dentist expert is helpclarify the identity of a person. The tooth is subject to physiological and pathological variations in their structures, as well as inherentstigmas restorative treatments, facts which confers dental individualized information to a person. The teeth can be used as a weapon incertain circumstances, providing relevant information about dental characteristics of the victim and/or perpetrator can then LegalDentistry play an important role in investigating cases of sexual assault and abuse in all the ages. The dentist in their care task isresponsible for faithfully document and complete their professional procedure that may be required by the authorities responsible foradministering justice in cases of professional liability, negligence, fraud, abuse, and identification of human remains.

Evaluación forense comparativa del método odontológico de Carrea para estimar la talla real en cadáveres mexicanos / Forensic comparative evaluation of the dental method of Carrea to estimate real height in Mexican corpses

Objetivo. Determinar la efectividad del método odontológico de Carrea para estimar la talla real de cadáveres mexicanos. Material y métodos. Estudio analítico, correlacional y transversal en 2 poblaciones mexicanas cadavéricas. Muestra: 56 cadáveres, 32 de Veracruz y 24 del Distrito Federal. En cada cadáver se realizaron 4 mediciones morfométricas, de las cuales se obtuvieron 5 derivadas. Análisis estadístico: 1) se calcularon media y desviación estándar (DE); 2) para sexo, se utilizaron las pruebas t Student y de Levene para comparación de medias y DE; 3) para calcular la variabilidad entre muestras, se realizó un análisis de componentes principales; 4) las tallas real, mínima, máxima y promedio se compararon mediante un ANOVA unifactorial y 5) se realizó un análisis de correlación de Pearson entre las tallas real y mínima. Resultados. No se encontraron diferencias entre las 2 muestras de cadáveres estudiadas ni entre las tallas real y mínima en ninguno de los 2 grupos: Distrito Federal, talla real (172,08 ± 6,53 cm) y talla mínima (171,35 ± 7,81 cm) (p > 0,05); Veracruz, talla real (167,5 ± 5,77 cm) y talla mínima (166,50 ± 6,36 cm) (p > 0,05). Se obtuvo que la correlación entre la talla real y la mínima es adecuada tanto para la muestra del Distrito Federal (r = 0,79; p = 0,000) como para la de Veracruz (r = 0,82; p = 0,000), así como en conjunto (r = 0,83; p = 0,000). Conclusiones. El método odontológico de Carrea, utilizando la talla mínima como referencia, es un excelente estimador de la talla real en cadáveres mexicanos (AU)

Objective. Evaluate the usefulness of the dental method of Carrea to estimate the height in Mexican population. Material and methods. Analytical, correlational and cross-sectional study in 2 cadaveric Mexican populations. Sample: 56 bodies, 32 of Veracruz and 24 of the Federal District. In each corpse 4 morphometric measurements were performed, of which 5 derivatives were obtained. Statistical analysis: 1) mean and standard deviation (SD) was calculated; 2) for sex, t Student and Levene tests for comparison of means and SDs were used; 3) to calculate the variability between Federal District and Veracruz, principal component analysis was made; 4) the heights, real, minimum, average and maximum were compared by univariate ANOVA, and 5) a Pearson correlation analysis between actual and minimum heights was performed. Results. No differences were found between the 2 cadavers samples studied, neither between real and minimum height in either group: Federal District, real height (172.08 ± 6.53 cm.) and minimum height (171.35 ± 7.81 cm) (P>.05); Veracruz, real height (167.5 ± 5.77 cm) and minimum height (166.50 ± 6.36 cm) (P>.05), having that the correlation between real height and the minimum height is advisable for both samples, Federal District (r=.79, P=.000), Veracruz (r=.82, P=.000) and overall (r=.83, P=.000). Conclusions. The dental Carrea's method, using the minimum height reference, is an excellent estimate of the actual size in mexican corpses (AU)

Australian oral health case notes: assessment of forensic relevance and adherence to recording guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Dental case notes record clinical diagnoses and treatments, as well as providing continuity of patient care. They are also used for dento-legal litigation and forensic purposes. Maintaining accurate and comprehensive dental patient records is a dental worker's ethical and legal obligation. METHODS: Australian registered specialist forensic odontologists were surveyed to determine the relevance of recorded case note items for dental identification. A dental case notes sample was assessed for adherence with odontologist nominated forensic value and compiled professional record keeping guidelines of forensic relevance. Frequency of item recording, confidence interval, examiner agreement and statistical significance were determined. RESULTS: Broad agreement existed between forensic odontologists as to which recorded dental items have most forensic relevance. Inclusion frequency of these items in sampled case notes varied widely (e.g. single area radiographic view present in 75%, CI = 65.65-82.50; completed odontogram in 56%, CI = 46.23-65.33). Recording of information specified by professional record keeping guidelines also varied, although overall inclusion was higher than for forensically desired items (e.g. patient's full name in 99%, CI = 94.01 - >99.99; named treating practitioner in 23%, CI = 15.78-32.31). CONCLUSIONS: Many sampled dental case notes lacked details identified as being valuable by forensic specialists and as specified by professional record keeping guidelines.

Comportamiento del color de discos y restauraciones en resina compuesta sometidos a altas temperatura con fines forenses / Performance of color of discs and restorations in composite resin subject to high temperatures to forensic purposes

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el comportamiento del color de discos y restauraciones en resina compuesta sometidos a altas temperaturas con fines forenses. Para ello se realizó un estudio descriptivo de naturaleza pseudoexperimental in vitro que describió los cambios colorimétricos que ocurrieron en 75 discos y 75 dientes restaurados en resina compuesta (Z100 3M-ESPE®), confeccionados en cinco colores (A1, A2, A3, A3.5 y B2), al ser sometidos a la acción de altas temperaturas, con el propósito de establecer parámetros cualitativos a partir del cambio de color de utilidad forense. Los resultados obtenidos permitieron explicar los cambios de color por espectrometría, de tal forma que una resina compuesta, a 200 oC, pierde brillo y matiz; a 400 oC, pierde brillo, matiz y saturación; y a 600 oC, 800 oC y 1.000 oC gana brillo y pierde matiz y saturación. Así, no existieron diferencias significativas en las coordenadas de color L* a* b* al comparar los discos con los dientes restaurados. En conclusión, la interpretación visual del cambio de color y las coordenadas de color L* a* b* a través del uso de un espectrofotómetro puede constituirse en un método comparativo de bajo costo y de aplicación forense al momento de identificar el tipo y el color de un material restaurador en un cadáver o en restos humanos quemados, carbonizados o incinerados, para obtener marcadores positivos durante el cotejo ante mórtem-post mórtem, y estimar la temperatura máxima alcanzada durante la exposición (AU)

The objective for this study was to determine the color behavior of discs and composite resin restorations subjected to high temperature for forensic purposes. For this, a descriptive study of pseudo-experimental nature was made, to describing in vitro colorimetric changes that occur on the surface of 75 disks and 75 class I composite resin restorations (Z100 3M-ESPE®) made in five colors (A1, A2 , A3, A3.5 and B2), when subjected to the action of high temperatures (200 oC, 400 oC, 600 oC, 800 oC y 1,000 oC); in order to set parameters from the color change that can be applied to the forensic dental identification methods in the case of bodies or human remains burnt, charred or incinerated. The color changes can be explained by spectrometry. A composite resin subjected to 200 oC loses brightness and hue; to 400 oC wins brightness, hue and saturation; to 600 oC, 800 oC and 1,000 oC lost brightness, hue and saturation. No significant differences in the color coordinates L * a * b * to compare discs with the restored teeth, so the test bodies were suitable to test with the commercial composite resin system ESPE® 3M-Z100. In conclusion, the visual interpretation of color change and the L * a * b * color coordinates through the use of a spectrometer becomes a comparative forensic method application inexpensive when identifying the type and color a restorative material in a human remains burnt, charred or incinerated, to obtain positive markers for the antemortem-postmortem comparison and estimate the maximum temperature reached (AU)

Bite-Mark and Pattern Injury Analysis: A Brief Status Overview.

Bite marks are one component of forensic investigation requiring subjective interpretation for determining unknown source evidence to a putative suspect. Recent scrutiny has lead to questions about the scientific validity of patterned evidence, bite-mark analysis in particular, and its role in judicial proceedings. This article discusses some issues that persist in forensic circles and the difficulties surrounding the field of bite-mark analysis that inherently must employ human subjectivity in its execution of duty.

Forensic considerations when dealing with incinerated human dental remains.

Establishing the human dental identification process relies upon sufficient post-mortem data being recovered to allow for a meaningful comparison with ante-mortem records of the deceased person. Teeth are the most indestructible components of the human body and are structurally unique in their composition. They possess the highest resistance to most environmental effects like fire, desiccation, decomposition and prolonged immersion. In most natural as well as man-made disasters, teeth may provide the only means of positive identification of an otherwise unrecognizable body. It is imperative that dental evidence should not be destroyed through erroneous handling until appropriate radiographs, photographs, or impressions can be fabricated. Proper methods of physical stabilization of incinerated human dental remains should be followed. The maintenance of integrity of extremely fragile structures is crucial to the successful confirmation of identity. In such situations, the forensic dentist must stabilise these teeth before the fragile remains are transported to the mortuary to ensure preservation of possibly vital identification evidence. Thus, while dealing with any incinerated dental remains, a systematic approach must be followed through each stage of evaluation of incinerated dental remains to prevent the loss of potential dental evidence. This paper presents a composite review of various studies on incinerated human dental remains and discusses their impact on the process of human identification and suggests a step by step approach.

Evaluación de diferentes métodos de estimación de edad por desarrollo de la dentición en restos humanos esqueletizados de entre 0 y 6 meses / Evaluation of different methods for estimating age using developing teeth in skeletonized human remains between 0 and 6 months old

Introducción. Este trabajo tiene por objeto evaluar la aplicabilidad y precisión de 4 métodos para estimar la edad por el desarrollo de la dentición en el período posnatal temprano. Material y métodos. Para la realización de este estudio se seleccionó una muestra constituida por 25 individuos de ambos sexos, sin evidencias de enfermedades y con edades documentadas entre 0 y 6 meses posnatales. Se estimaron las edades dentales mediante la utilización de los trabajos de Moorrees et al. (1963a; b), Lunt y Law (1974), Ubelaker (1978) y AlQahtani et al. (2010) y se compararon las edades estimadas con la edad cronológica documentada para cada individuo de la muestra. Resultados. Los resultados mostraron que el método de Moorrees no es adecuado para el período de edad analizado dado no permitió estimar la edad del total de los individuos de la muestra y las edades estimadas presentan diferencias significativas con las edades cronológicas documentadas. Los métodos de Lunt y Law y Ubelaker son poco precisos y el método de AlQahtani es el que arrojó mayor exactitud respecto de la edad cronológica documentada. Conclusiones. A partir de los resultados se llegó a la conclusión de que los métodos gráficos son de muy fácil aplicación sin detrimento de la precisión que pueden conseguir en la estimación, y que el método de AlQahtani es el que presenta mayor precisión y exactitud en el rango etario analizado (AU)

Introduction. This work aims to assess the applicability, accuracy and precision of four methods for estimating age by tooth development in the early postnatal period. Material and methods. To perform this study a sample of 25 individuals of both sexes, with no evidence of pathology and documented ages from 0 to 6 postnatal months was selected. Dental ages were estimated using reference data from Moorrees et al. (1963), Lunt and Law (1974), Ubelaker (1978) and AlQahtani et al. (2010). Estimated and chronological documented ages were compared. Results. The results showed that the Moorrees et al. method is not suitable for the targeted age group as it was not possible to estimate the age of all individuals in the sample and the estimated ages had significant differences with documented chronological age. Lunt and Law and Ubelaker methods are vague and AlQahtani et al. method is more accurate. Conclusions. On the basis of the results it is concluded that graphical methods are easily applied without loss of accuracy and that the most accurate and precise method is by AlQahtani et al (AU)