Nicodemo's method on dental development: a cross-sectional study with 3,271 children and adolescents.

Civil and criminal forensics utilize dental development to estimate age. The method of Nicodemo, Moraes, and Médici Filho (NMM) is a popular dental age estimation tool in South America; however, it lacks a scientific basis for applications in contemporary forensic practice. This research included the largest sample ever collected in Brazil for a similar purpose. The sample consisted of 3,271 panoramic radiographs of female (n = 1,634) and male (n = 1,637) individuals between six and 22.9 years old (mean 14.6 ± 4.9 years). The applied NMM method considered all maxillary and mandibular left permanent teeth (n = 16). The fit between the chronological age and estimated age intervals was assessed, and a correlation test with Lin's correlation coefficient was performed. The overall percentage of fit was 22.5%, without statistically significant differences based on sex (p > 0.05). The percentage of fit was greater in younger individuals, such as those aged 6-6.99 years (90%), and progressively decreased in older individuals, such as those aged 11-11.9 years (18.2%). After 12 years of age, the method could not provide correct classifications up to 25 years of age. Lin's correlation coefficient was predominantly low (ρ = 0.175; 0.367). NMM is considerably limited, and current forensic practice should not apply it to estimate dental age.

Dental age estimation in adults using the Lamendin criteria: Validation of a bayesian model in the Brazilian population.

Age estimation provides information for biological profile, which is used as an important data during the process of to aid in the identification of bodies of deceased persons. Lamendin et al. proposed a simplified dental age estimation technique for adults based on the analysis of periodontal recession height, root height, and root translucency height. These characteristics were used to build a multi-population database that served in the development of a Bayesian model, known as the Forensic International Dental Database (FIDB). However, before this research, this model did not incorporate dental information from the Brazilian population. The aim of this article was to validate the application of the FIDB Bayesian statistical model for estimating dental age in samples from the Brazilian population and compare it to Lamendin's technique. A cross-sectional study was conducted using 230 dental elements extracted for therapeutic reasons and stored in a biobank. Two independent and calibrated examiners collected the data, considering the randomization of dental samples. Intra- and inter-examiner reliability analysis included the re-evaluation of 20 % (n = 40) of the sample. For statistical analyses, the data were organized in Microsoft© Excel© 365 version 2204 (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, USA) spreadsheets, and R version 4.0.2 (R Foundation, Vienna, Austria) and IBM® SPSS® version 23.0 (SPSS Inc., IBM, Chicago, IL, USA) software were used. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final sample comprised 200 intact dental elements from 84 male and 116 female individuals. According to the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the data did not show a normal distribution, and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient indicated that intra- and inter-examiner agreements were adequate. Through the Mann-Whitney U test, statistically significant differences between sexes were not observed. In terms of overall accuracy, the Bayesian model and the original Lamendin´s technique showed a mean absolute error of 9.39 years and 9.95, respectively. Regarding bias, it was generally 0.15 years for the Bayesian model and 5.62 years for the original Lamendin´s technique. The Wilcoxon classification test revealed no statistically significant difference between chronological and estimated ages, but only for the Bayesian model. It can be concluded that the developed Bayesian statistical model was able to estimate the age of Brazilian adults satisfactorily, and overall, the error rates were acceptable.

Challenges of the minimum postmortem interval (PMImin) estimation in forensic scenarios: Is dental histology an alternative?

Postmortem interval (PMI) estimates the time since death. Teeth are perennial elements capable of remaining intact in taphonomic environmental circumstances. The objective was to evaluate the feasibility of estimating the minimum postmortem interval (PMImin) through histological analyses of dental tissues exposed to burial and drowning conditions, simulating common scenarios in forensic practice. A total of n = 99 teeth were analyzed and divided into four groups: control (T0), one month (T1), three months (T2), and six months (T3). The control sample comprised 10 teeth, while T1, T2 e T3 were divided into three different subgroups: controlled environment, buried, and drowned. For each subgroup, ten samples were used. Following exposure to taphonomic conditions, the specimens were processed, and histological sections were obtained. The two-way ANOVA test and the Tukey's post-hoc test were employed for the quantitative analysis of dentin collagen fibrils, revealing statistically significant differences (α = 5 %). This allowed for the estimation of the PMImin at three months by observing pixel counts exceeding 13e+05 in drowned teeth and greater than 8e+05 in buried teeth. Qualitative analysis revealed that the PMImin of drowned teeth was estimated at one month due to the absence of the periodontal ligament (PDL) and at six months due to the absence of predentin and partial degradation of the cementum. For buried teeth, the three-month PMImin was indicated by the absence of PDL and partial cementum degradation. The absence of pulp and remnants of predentin characterized the six-month PMImin. Qualitative and quantitative histological characteristics and parameters are potential to estimate PMImin in forensic scenarios spanning up to six months.

Documentação odontológica sob a ótica da Odontologia Legal: revisão integrativa / Dental documentation from the perspective of Legal Dentistry: integrative review / Documentación dental desde la perspectiva de la Odontología Legal: revisión integrativa

Objetivo: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa cujo objetivo foi sumarizar a literatura atual referente à documentação odontológica e suas aplicações, relacionada à responsabilidade civil do cirurgião-dentista. Metodologia: Foi realizada uma busca nas bases de dados PubMed, LILACS, Scielo e Periódicos CAPES, e na literatura cinza (Google Acadêmico) entre agosto e setembro de 2022, bem como em endereços eletrônicos oficiais para busca de leis e normativas, utilizando a combinação dos descritores: "documentação", "responsabilidade legal", "odontologia" e "odontologia legal". Resultados: Encontrou-se dez publicações no âmbito da odontologia forense quatro relacionadas à documentação odontológica (prontuários, termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido, odontograma, imagens), quatro em relação as ações judiciais, uma sobre prescrição de medicamentos e uma sobre notificação dos casos suspeitos e confirmados de violência. Conclusão: As universidades, instituições de ensino superior e as unidades de saúde tem um papel importante na formação e capacitação do odontólogo para o preenchimento correto das prescrições de medicamentos, de prontuário, de notificações compulsórias, armazenamento de documentos odontológicos, bem como, esclarecimento sobre responsabilidade subjetiva e objetiva do cirurgião dentista, dano e nexo causal... (AU)

Objective: This is an integrative review whose objective was to summarize the current literature regarding dental documentation and its applications, related to the civil liability of the dental surgeon. Methodology: A search was carried out in the databases PubMed, LILACS, Scielo and Periódicos CAPES, and in gray literature (Google Scholar) between August and September 2022, as well as in official electronic addresses to search for laws and regulations, using the combination of descriptors: "documentation", "legal responsibility", "dentistry" and "legal dentistry". Results: Ten publications were found in the field of forensic dentistry, four related to dental documentation (medical records, informed consent form, odontogram, images), four related to legal actions, one on medication prescription and one on case notification suspected and confirmed cases of violence. Conclusion: Universities, higher education institutions and health units have an important role in training and qualifying dentists to correctly fill out medication prescriptions, medical records, compulsory notifications, and storage of dental documents, as well as, clarification on the dentist's subjective and objective liability, damage and causal link... (AU)

Objetivo: Se trata de una revisión integradora cuyo objetivo fue resumir la literatura actual sobre la documentación odontológica y sus aplicaciones, relacionadas con la responsabilidad civil del cirujano dentista. Metodología: Se realizó una búsqueda en las bases de datos PubMed, LILACS, Scielo y Periódicos CAPES, y en literatura gris (Google Scholar) entre agosto y septiembre de 2022, así como en direcciones electrónicas oficiales para buscar leyes y regulaciones, utilizando la combinación de descriptores: "documentación", "responsabilidad legal", "odontología" y "odontología legal". Resultados: Se encontraron diez publicaciones en el campo de la odontología forense, cuatro relacionadas con documentación odontológica (historia médica, consentimiento informado, odontograma, imágenes), cuatro relacionadas con acciones legales, una sobre prescripción de medicamentos y una sobre notificación de casos sospechosos y confirmados. de violencia. Conclusión: Las universidades, instituciones de educación superior y unidades de salud tienen un papel importante en la formación y calificación de los odontólogos para el correcto llenado de recetas de medicamentos, historias clínicas, notificaciones obligatorias y almacenamiento de documentos odontológicos. así como, aclaración sobre la responsabilidad subjetiva y objetiva del odontólogo, daño y nexo causal... (AU)

Reconstrução facial forense: estudo antropométrico e antropomórfico da orelha / Forensic facial reconstruction: anthropometric and anthropomorphic study of the ear

O reconhecimento por meio da reconstrução facial forense é possível graças às pesquisas sobre as espessuras dos tecidos moles e características dos anexos faciais (olhos, boca, nariz e orelhas) e, a fidelidade dessas características são essenciais no processo do reconhecimento e posterior identificação. Na literatura científica, poucos trabalhos relacionam as orelhas à reconstrução facial forense. Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar as particularidades das orelhas, avaliando formato, tamanho, inclinação e posição, propor uma metodologia de classificação com vistas a uma maior reprodutibilidade que a forma atual existente e estabelecer relação com o biotipo facial. Diante da já referida dificuldade em se avaliar o formato da orelha foi elaborada uma abordagem mais objetiva que se mostrou eficaz quando da comparação entre o Índice Kappa (Cohen) realizado entre a forma atual e a forma proposta (de 0,63 para 0,83 intraexaminador e de 0,19 para 0,61 interexaminador). Foi também observada a predominância da orelha do tipo oval da população estudada. Foram avaliadas 99 fotografias de uma amostra de conveniência obtidas em um Pronto Socorro Odontológico particular da zona sul da cidade de São Paulo, composta por indivíduos de ambos os sexos com idade superior a 18 anos. Quanto às mensurações, o ICC intra e interexaminador obtiveram o mesmo resultado de 0,99. A análise comparativa entre os sexos revelou que o sexo masculino possui orelhas maiores quando comparado ao feminino. O estudo da inclinação da orelha em relação ao crânio mostrou um ângulo médio formado entre seu longo eixo e o Plano de Frankfurt de 73º para 76% dos homens e 69,76% das mulheres. Quanto à relação da orelha com outras estruturas, em 81,6% dos casos, o ponto mais superior da orelha coincide com a sobrancelha.

Latin American Forensic Odontology: A Scoping Review of its Current Research and the Objective/Subjective Nature of its Studies

SUMMARY: The new paradigm in Forensic Sciences initiated by the entry of genetics (the current standard of legal evidence) and accentuated by recognized wrongful convictions derived from experts today in the eye of criticism, has highlighted the potential for bias and error in forensic disciplines when they depend on human interpretation and subjectivity, which has not been avoided by Forensic Odontology (FO). However, a subjective judgment is not necessarily wrong, so the refinement of processes, the development of standards, and robust research can contribute to the validity of interpretation to increase objectivity. Latin America (LATAM) has its own realities and needs, which have conditioned the priorities and objectives of FO research. A scoping review is presented to systematically map the investigation of LATAM researchers and identify the objective or subjective nature of their assessments. LATAM shows interesting productivity and intentions to adhere to international standards, with Brazil leading this research significantly, followed by Chile and Colombia, among others. However, there is a disproportionate approach in certain lines of research (dental age estimation), and needs to address other quantitative studies, and to improve the visibility of the LATAM FO research.

El nuevo paradigma en ciencias forenses iniciado por la entrada de la genética (el actual estándar de la evidencia jurídica), y acentuado por reconocidas condenas injustas derivadas de pericias hoy en el ojo de la crítica, ha destacado el potencial de sesgo y error que poseen algunas disciplinas forenses cuando dependen de la interpretación humana y la subjetividad, lo cual no ha sido ajeno a la odontología forense (OF). Sin embargo, un juicio subjetivo no necesariamente es erróneo, con lo que el refinamiento de procesos, el desarrollo de estándares y la investigación robusta pueden contribuir a validar esa interpretación para aumentar su objetividad. Latinoamérica (LATAM) posee realidades y necesidades propias que han condicionado las prioridades y objetivos de la investigación en OF. Se presenta una revisión con búsqueda sistemática para mapear sistemáticamente la investigación en OF realizada por investigadores latinoamericanos, así como identificar la naturaleza objetiva o subjetiva de sus evaluaciones. LATAM demuestra una productividad interesante e intenciones de adherirse a estándares internacionales, con Brasil liderando significativamente esta investigación, seguido por Chile y Colombia entre otros. Sin embargo, se observa un enfoque desproporcionado en ciertas líneas de investigación (estimación de edad dental particularmente), y necesidad tanto de abordar otros estudios cuantitativos como de mejorar la visibilidad de la investigación latinoamericana en OF.

Violencia contra niños, niñas y adolescentes: actuación del odontólogo y nivel de conocimiento para la detección y atención de casos / Violence against children and adolescents: dentist´s performance and knowledge levels for case detection and care

Objetivo: Analizar el nivel de conocimiento del pro-fesional odontólogo sobre la violencia ejercida en niños, niñas y adolescentes, poniendo énfasis en la importancia de su actuación para la detección, aten-ción y derivación de potenciales casos que posibi-liten, dentro de un contexto multidisciplinario, una intervención oportuna y efectiva. Materiales y méto-dos: Se realizó una encuesta a 132 odontólogos, 123 mujeres y 9 hombres, con experiencia profesional de 2 a 43 años, profesores universitarios especialistas en odontopediatría, cursantes de carreras de espe-cialización y posgrados afines o aquellos que desa-rrollan sus actividades laborales en 2 hospitales pú-blicos de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires aten-diendo a menores de edad. La encuesta totalizó 15 preguntas distribuidas en 3 categorías cuyos ejes te-máticos ahondaron respecto al conocimiento sobre violencia ejercida contra menores (Categoría 1), sos-pecha de un presunto maltrato infantil en la consulta (Categoría 2) y factores que condicionan la eventual derivación del caso (Categoría 3). Cada pregunta in-cluida en las 3 categorías se direccionó conforme a si el ámbito profesional del sujeto encuestado era es-pecialista/cursante de posgrado (Grupo 1) u hospi-talario (Grupo 2). Resultados: En la primera categoría se observó una significativa carencia de formación específica en la etapa de grado con un 89% para el grupo 1 y 93,75% para el grupo 2, aunque éstos úl-timos han accedido a cursos de perfeccionamiento y actividades tendientes a incrementar destrezas y aptitudes en un 71,87%, contrastando con el 24% del otro grupo. Asimismo, el 29% del grupo 1 y un 50% del grupo 2 conocían los protocolos establecidos en sus entornos profesionales. Ambos consideraron que el odontólogo no está capacitado para detectar conductas orientativas hacia posibles casos (89%, grupo 1; 87,5%, grupo 2). Para la segunda categoría, el grupo 1 respondió positivamente en un 73%, en tanto que el grupo 2 lo hizo en un 84,38%. En la ter-cera categoría se destacó para el grupo 1 un elevado porcentaje en las preguntas relacionadas al temor por parte del odontólogo de agravar las acciones Objetivo: Analizar el nivel de conocimiento del pro-fesional odontólogo sobre la violencia ejercida en niños, niñas y adolescentes, poniendo énfasis en la importancia de su actuación para la detección, aten-ción y derivación de potenciales casos que posibi-liten, dentro de un contexto multidisciplinario, una intervención oportuna y efectiva. Materiales y méto-dos: Se realizó una encuesta a 132 odontólogos, 123 mujeres y 9 hombres, con experiencia profesional de 2 a 43 años, profesores universitarios especialistas en odontopediatría, cursantes de carreras de espe-cialización y posgrados afines o aquellos que desa-rrollan sus actividades laborales en 2 hospitales pú-blicos de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires aten-diendo a menores de edad. La encuesta totalizó 15 preguntas distribuidas en 3 categorías cuyos ejes te-máticos ahondaron respecto al conocimiento sobre violencia ejercida contra menores (Categoría 1), sos-pecha de un presunto maltrato infantil en la consulta (Categoría 2) y factores que condicionan la eventual derivación del caso (Categoría 3). Cada pregunta in-cluida en las 3 categorías se direccionó conforme a si el ámbito profesional del sujeto encuestado era es-pecialista/cursante de posgrado (Grupo 1) u hospi-talario (Grupo 2). Resultados: En la primera categoría se observó una significativa carencia de formación específica en la etapa de grado con un 89% para el grupo 1 y 93,75% para el grupo 2, aunque éstos úl-timos han accedido a cursos de perfeccionamiento y actividades tendientes a incrementar destrezas y aptitudes en un 71,87%, contrastando con el 24% del otro grupo. Asimismo, el 29% del grupo 1 y un 50% del grupo 2 conocían los protocolos establecidos en sus entornos profesionales. Ambos consideraron que el odontólogo no está capacitado para detectar conductas orientativas hacia posibles casos (89%, grupo 1; 87,5%, grupo 2). Para la segunda categoría, el grupo 1 respondió positivamente en un 73%, en tanto que el grupo 2 lo hizo en un 84,38%. En la ter-cera categoría se destacó para el grupo 1 un elevado porcentaje en las preguntas relacionadas al temor por parte del odontólogo de agravar las acciones de violencia familiar (64%) o represalias (55%) contra el niño si efectuaran la derivación. En los mismos ítems, el grupo 2 respondió con porcentajes disímiles (28,13% y 31,25%, respectivamente). Finalmente, se diferenciaron claramente los resultados en cuanto al desconocimiento de los procedimientos a seguir si amerita derivar un caso, con un 71% para el grupo 1 y un 34,38% para el grupo 2. Conclusión: Se hace imperioso instruir y capacitar al profesional odontólogo, concientizándolo sobre la necesidad de conocer la legislación vigente y los mecanismos de detección y ulterior derivación. Si bien aquellos que desempeñan su labor a nivel hospitalario aparecen como mejor preparados para actuar, existe un evidente desconocimiento general que conlleva el riesgo de no advertir o proceder inadecuadamente en casos de violencia que atenta contra la seguridad de niños, niñas y adolescentes (AU)

Objective: To analyze the level of knowledge of the dental professional about violence committed in children and adolescents, emphasizing the importance of their actions for the detection, care and referral of potential cases that allow, within a multidisciplinary context, an intervention timely and effective. Materials and methods: A survey was carried out with 132 dentists, 123 women and 9 men, with professional experience of 2 to 43 years, university professors in the specialty of pediatric dentistry, students of specialization course and related postgraduate courses or those who carry out their work activities in 2 public hospitals in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires that care for minors. The survey included 15 questions distributed in 3 categories whose thematic axes delved into knowledge about violence committed against minors (Category 1), suspicion of alleged child abuses in the consultation (Category 2) and factors that condition the eventual referral of the case (Category 3). Each question included in the 3 categories is addressed according to whether the professional field of the surveyed subject was a specialist/graduate student (Group 1) or a hospitalist (Group 2). Results: In the first category, a significant lack of specific training is observed in the undergraduate stage with 89% for group 1 and 93.75% for group 2, although the latter have accessed courses and improvement activities aimed at to increase skills and abilities by 71.87%, in contrast to 24% in the other group. Likewise, 29% of group 1 and 50% of group 2 knew the protocols established in their professional environments. Both considered that the dentist is not trained to detect guiding behaviors towards possible cases (89%, group 1; 87.5%, group 2). For the second category, group 1 responded positively by 73%, while group 2 did so by 84.38%. In the third category, a high percentage stood out for group 1 in the questions related to the dentist's fear of aggravating the actions of family violence (64%) or retaliation (55%) against the child if he made the referral. In the same items, group 2 responded with dissimilar percentages (28.13% and 31.25%, respectively). Finally, the results were clearly differentiated in terms of lack of knowledge of the procedures to follow if a case warrants referral, with 71% for group 1 and 34.38% for group 2. Conclusion: It is imperative to instruct and train the professional dentist, raising awareness about the need to know current legislation and the detection and subsequent referral mechanisms. Although those who carry out their work at the hospital level seem to be better prepared to act, there is an evident widespread lack of knowledge that entails the risk of not announcing or acting inappropriately in cases of violence that threaten the safety of children and adolescents (AU)

Evaluation of Diagnostic Values of a Gender Discrimination Function, Based on Mandibular Dimorphic Parameters in Iranian Population

Abstract Objective: To evaluate mandibular dimorphic parameters for sex determination by using panoramic radiographs and comparing the results with another equation. Material and Methods: In this analytical-descriptive study, the mandible variables, including the ramus height, the coronoid height, the mental height, and the distance between the right and left condyle, were measured in 326 panoramic radiographs. The discriminant function of the statistical method has previously been used to evaluate the diagnostic value of sex. The level of significance was considered 0.05. Results: The detection function obtained was statistically significant in quantitative correlation (p<0.001) with 99% agreement. Moreover, good sensitivity (81.72%), specify (80.25%), and moderate to good predictive values (PPV: 62.29 and NPV:91.6) were found. Among the mandibular parameters, chin height, ramus height, coronoid height, and distance between two condyles showed the highest gender dimorphism. Conclusion: Chin height, and ramus height have the most quality in gender dimorphism. A unique gender discrimination function has been obtained from the results.

Forensic significance of dental cementum: pilot study on new micro-CT energy parameters for age estimation in human teeth

Aim: To determine new energy parameters in micro-CT to allow appropriate segmentation of dental cementum from the surrounding structures. Methods: For this pilot study, 11 single-rooted premolar teeth of young subjects aged 12 to 21 were selected. The teeth were scanned using high-energy microtomography (SkyScan 1173, Bruker) with varying acquisition energies (60, 70, and 80 kV). Each tooth was scanned three times. The images were reconstructed and analyzed by calculating the volume (mm³) of dental cementum in the cervical, middle, and apical root thirds among the different scanned stacks. The mean cementum volume in the root thirds was obtained, and correlated with the patient's age, using Pearson's correlation. Results: The mean age of the patients in the sample was 16,73 years. For the 60kV energy, the cementum volumes were 1.01 mm³, 1.00 mm³, and 0.58 mm³, for the cervical, middle, and apical thirds, respectively. For 70kV, it was 1.08 mm3, 1.20 mm3, and 0.71 mm3 for the respective thirds. And for 80kV, 0.55 mm3, 0.91 mm3, and 0.67 mm3 for the respective thirds. Conclusion: An acquisition energy of 70kV resulted in the best segmentation and reproducibility of the results. Micro-CT can be a useful tool to non-destructively evaluate the dental cementum

Age estimation through the development of third molars in a case of multiple dismemberment / Estimación de la edad mediante el desarrollo de terceros molares en un caso de desmembramiento múltiple

El crimen organizado se ha convertido en un flagelo a nivel internacional conformado por grupos al margen de la ley que realizan todo tipo de actividades que involucran desde tráfico de personas, secuestros, extorsiones, narcotráfico y muchos otros delitos. Producto de este fenómeno, la desaparición y ejecución de personas es cada día más frecuente, en muchos casos los cuerpos son quemados o desmembrados para impedir o hacer más difícil la identificación. La odontología forense se ha convertido en una disciplina transcendental en la identificación de cadáveres y restos óseos, además de contar con múltiples métodos para estimar la edad aproximada de una persona. Se presenta el caso de un descuartizamiento múltiple de tres individuos masculinos donde era indispensable identificar si alguno correspondía a una persona menor de 18 años.

Organized crime has become an international scourge made up of outlaw groups that carry out all kinds of activities ranging from human trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, drug trafficking and many more. As a result of this phenomenon, the disappearance and execution of people is becoming more frequent every day, in many cases the bodies are burned or dismembered to prevent or make identification more difficult. Forensic odontology has become a transcendental discipline in the identification of corpses and skeletal remains, in addition to having multiple methods to estimate the approximate age of a person. The case of a multiple dismemberment of three male individuals is presented, where it was essential to identify a person under 18 years of age.

Pesquisa de novos pontos craniométricos para aumento da precisão em reconstrução facial forense / Ressearch of new craniometric points for more accurate facial reconstruction

A estimativa de aparência da face de uma pessoa, partindo de um crânio seco, é chamada de Reconstrução Facial Forense (RFF). Pode ser realizada de maneira digital ou manual, a partir da marcação de pontos cranianos, que possuem diferentes médias de espessura de tecido mole sobreposto. Nas reconstruções digitais o uso de tomografias computadorizadas de feixe cônico (TCFC), que nos permite obter o volume de pacientes sentados, possibilitou um avanço significativo na mensuração das médias de volume dos tecidos moles faciais. Foi desenvolvido um protocolo para medições de tecidos moles a partir de 32 pontos craniométricos (10 sagitais e 11 bilaterais). Este trabalho propõe a inserção de cinco novos pontos cranianos ao protocolo, com medidas a partir dos pontos Mentual (Ml), Supra Canino (sC), Fronto-zigomático (Fz), Ptério (Pt) e Posterior do Ramo Mandibular (prM), com o intuito de aumentar a acurácia das reconstruções. As TCFC foram manipuladas no software Horus® (LGPL 3.0) e mensuradas conforme protocolo adaptado de Beaini et al. (1), obtidas as espessuras de tecido mole a partir dos pontos craniométricos propostos. Foram estudadas 100 TCFC de brasileiros adultos (maiores de 18 anos) que disponibilizaram seus exames para utilização em pesquisas de maneira anônima e que compõe um banco de dados já estruturado e utilizado em pesquisas anteriores. Esse banco de dados contém exames de 50 indivíduos do sexo feminino e 50 do sexo masculino, separados em grupos por sexo e idade. Estatisticamente, foram aplicados testes de normalidade e a diferença entre cada grupo foi testada para obtenção das espessuras médias referentes a cada ponto craniano. Para o ponto Fz, as médias de espessura de tecidos moles foram de 4.56mm para mulheres e 5.14mm para homens. Para o ponto Ml, as médias de ETMF foram de 12.88mm para mulheres e 14.74mm para homens. No ponto prM, as médias de ETMF foram de 18.30mm para homens e 19.69mm para mulheres. No ponto Pt, as médias de ETMF foram de 11.01mm para mulheres e 13.09mm para homens. No ponto sC, as médias de ETMF foram de 10.99mm para mulheres e 12.71mm para homens. A divisão de ETMFs por sexo é justificada, concordando com parcela significativa da literatura, uma vez que quatro 10 dos cinco pontos estudados apresentaram diferenças estatísticas significativas, com as espessuras de indivíduos do sexo masculino sendo maiores que de indivíduos do sexo feminino.

Utilização do seio frontal para avaliar dimorfismo sexual em amostra brasileira / Utilização do seio frontal para avaliar dimorfismo sexual em amostra brasileira

Os seios frontais são comumente usados na estimativa sexual por serem únicos para cada indivíduo, devido à variação considerável em tamanho, forma e número. Estudos anteriores apresentaram média acurácia mensurando área, altura e profundidade do seio frontal, porém, autores têm associado tais medidas com o índice do seio frontal, obtendo melhores resultados. Sendo assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar dimorfismo sexual do seio frontal em adultos brasileiros. A amostra foi composta por 255 telerradiografias laterais, de indivíduos entre 20 e 40 anos, sendo 132 do sexo feminino e 123 do sexo masculino. Pautado na metodologia de Luo et al., 2018, foram mensuradas a área (S), a altura e a profundidade máximas do seio frontal (AB e EF, respectivamente) por meio de programa de desenho assistido por computador; e a razão entre AB e EF foi tida como índice do seio frontal (R). Aplicou-se, então, a função discriminante desenvolvida pelos autores para avaliar o dimorfismo sexual na população brasileira. Foram realizados os testes de Shapiro-Wilk para avaliar a normalidade das variáveis e os testes t de Student e Mann-Whitney para verificar se houve diferença entre os sexos. A confiabilidade do método foi calculada através do coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (ICC) e o coeficiente de variação (CV), além do diagrama de Bland-Altman. Uma nova fórmula discriminante foi calculada com os dados do estudo e técnicas de machine learning foram utilizadas para melhorar a predição do sexo. O ICC foi acima de 0,90 para todas as variáveis e o CV abaixo de 5%. Na análise de Bland-Altman as medidas estavam dentro dos valores de confiança. Adesão à curva de normalidade para o sexo masculino foi observado apenas na variável EF. As variáveis apresentaram diferenças significantes em relação ao sexo e, com exceção de R, onde a média masculina foi 2,00 e a feminina, 2,40, todas as médias foram maiores para os homens. A fórmula original do estudo teve baixa acurácia, com nível de acerto de apenas 8,33% para o sexo feminino. No entanto, a fórmula calculada para brasileiros apresentou uma acurácia de 70,20%; das técnicas de machine learning, apenas a rede neural apresentou valor superior ao já obtido, de 73,30%. Concluindo, a nova fórmula apresentou uma acurácia de 70,20%, podendo ser aplicada como método auxiliar na avaliação do dimorfismo sexual do seio frontal em adultos brasileiros.

Dental age estimation by assessing the pulp volume of five teeth in a peruvian population using cone beam computed tomography images / Estimación de la edad dental evaluando el volumen pulpar de cinco dientes utilizando imágenes de tomografías computarizadas de haz cónico en una población peruana

Abstract Dental age estimation is very important for individual identification in criminal and civil forensic investigations. One of the methods for age estimation is studying age related changes in pulp volume of teeth. The objective of the current study was to estimate dental age from the pulp volume of five different categories of teeth of a Peruvian sample using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Retrospective CBCT records of 231 patients (females (134), males (97), age: 12-60 years) were included in the study, categorized into five different age groups (12-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 years and older). Dental pulp volume of five categories of teeth(upper canines, left upper central incisors, left upper first molars, lower left first premolars, first molars) were analyzed using Romexis® 5.3.3.5 software for each patient. There was a reduction in the pulp volume of upper right and left canine with age. The Pulp volume was lowest in people aged 60 years and over. Linear regression analysis of the pulp volume and chronological age showed a coefficient of determination of 30%, suggesting a weak correlation. A weak correlation between dental pulp and age is derived. But, a robust large homogenous sample of teeth in future for different age groups may establish a reliable regression equation.

Resumen La estimación de la edad dental en personas vivas y cadáveres es muy importante para la Odontología Forense, sobre todo en casos de identificación en investigaciones legales y sociales. El objetivo del estudio fue estimación de la edad dental mediante la medición del volumen pulpar de imágenes dentales en tomografía computarizada de haz cónico (TCHC) de pacientes peruanos. Fueron analizadas 231 TCHC de pacientes entre 12 a 60 años a más. (Mujeres (134), hombres (97)) se dividieron en seis grupos de edad (12-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 años a más). El análisis volumétrico de la pulpa dental se realizó en un total de 1155 dientes (caninos superiores, incisivos centrales superiores izquierdos, primeros molares superiores izquierdos y primeros premolares inferiores izquierdos), mediante el software Romexis® 5.3.3.5. El análisis de regresión lineal mostró un coeficiente de determinación del 30% que sugiere una correlación débil entre la relación del volumen pulpar de los dientes y la edad. El volumen pulpar de los caninos superiores derecho e izquierdo disminuyó a medida que aumentaba la edad y el volumen pulpar en dientes de personas de 60 años a más fue el más bajo. Sin embargo, se pueden proponer estudios futuros para incluir una gran muestra homogénea de dientes en diferentes categorías y grupos de edad para confirmar la correlación y establecer una ecuación de regresión confiable.

Sex Determination in the Contemporary Chilean Population by Mandible Analysis in Panoramic Radiographies / Estimación Sexual de la Población Chilena Contemporánea Mediante Análisis de la Mandíbula en Radiografías Panorámicas

SUMMARY: Sex identification of a deceased human individual by means of the mandible is very important for forensic dentistry. The aim of the present study was to determine the sex of Chilean individuals by mandible analysis in panoramic radiographies. Linear and angular parameters of the mandible were analyzed from panoramic radiographies (PR). The study included PR of adult Chilean individuals, of both sexes, with optimum solution and contrast, and which allowed the angles and rami of the mandible to be viewed. Sex was determined by univariate and bivariate discriminant function analysis. The sample consisted of 594 PR of individuals aged between 18 and 84 years. The best sex predictor using univariate discriminant function analysis was the mandibular ramus height (MRH) (74.1 %), followed by the distance from the mental foramen - mandibular base (DMF-MB) (69.1 %) and the bicondylar breadth (BC) (66.7 %). The parameters that presented the lowest sex prediction were the angle of the mandible (AM) with 55.0 % and the distance between mental foramina (DMF) with 53.7 %. The best sex prediction was obtained by the step model of discriminant function analysis (80.2 %), including only three parameters: MRH, BC and DMF-MB. The parameters height of the mandibular ramus, bicondylar breadth and distance from the mental foramen - base of the mandible are good predictors of sex in Chilean individuals when used in conjunction; they are therefore indicated for sex determination in the contemporary Chilean population.

La identificación humana de un individuo fallecido a través de la mandíbula es muy relevante para la odontología forense. El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar el sexo de individuos Chilenos a través del análisis de la mandíbula, utilizando radiografías panorámicas. Fueron analizados parámetros lineales y angulares de la mandíbula, a través de radiografías panorámicas (RP). Se incluyeron RP de individuos chilenos adultos, ambos sexos, con solución y contraste óptimos, y que permitían la visualización de los ángulos y ramas de la mandíbula. Se realizó análisis por función discriminante univariada y bivariada para estimación del sexo. Fueron incluidas 594 RP de individuos entre 18 y 84 años. Para el análisis de función discriminante univariado, la altura de la rama mandibular (ARM) fue el parámetro más predictivo (74,1 %), seguido de la distancia foramen mentoniano - base de la mandíbula (DFM-BM) (69,1 %) y el ancho bicondilar (ABCo) (66,7 %). Los parámetros que presentaron menor predicción sexual fueron el ángulo de la mandíbula (AM) con un 55,0 % y la distancia inter-forámenes mentonianos (DIFM), con el 53.7 %. El análisis por pasos fue el modelo de análisis de función discriminante que presentó la mayor predicción sexual (79,5 %), en el cual fueron incluidos sólo tres parámetros: ARM, ABCo y DFM-BM. Los parámetros altura de la rama de la mandíbula, ancho bicondilar y distancia desde el foramen mentoniano hasta la base de la mandíbula son buenos predictores del sexo en individuos Chilenos cuando utilizados en conjunto y están indicados para estimar el sexo en la población chilena contemporánea.

El Bazar de la Caridad: el nacimiento de la odontología forense / The Charity Bazaar: the birth of forensic odontology

A finales del siglo XIX, París sufrió un evento catastrófico en el cual perecieron numerosas víctimas en un incendio en el interior del Bazar de la Caridad. La mayoría de las víctimas sufrieron una carbonización tal que no era posible reconocerlas por su apariencia física. Ante el reto de la identificación, las autoridades solicitaron a los odontólogos que habían atendido en vida a las personas desaparecidas que inspeccionaran las características dentales de los cadáveres para facilitar su identificación, dicho evento fue clave para el nacimiento de la odontología forense. A partir de entonces, los dientes son considerados como elementos extremadamente fidedignos para la identificación de sujetos desconocidos. El objetivo de este artículo es realizar una breve revisión del evento que dio origen a la odontología forense: el incendio del Bazar de la Caridad (AU)

At the end of the 19th century, Paris suffered a catastrophic event in which numerous victims perished in a fire inside the Charity Bazaar. Most of the victims suffered such carbonization that it was not possible to recognize them by their physical appearance. Faced with the challenge of the identification, the authorities asked the dentists who had treated the disappeared persons while they were alive to inspect the dental characteristics of the corpses to facilitate their identification. This event was key to the birth of forensic odontology. From then on, teeth are considered extremely reliable elements for the identification of unkown subjects. The aim of this article is to carry out a brief review of the event that gave rise to forensic odontology: the Charity Bazaar fire (AU)

Persistência da sutura metópica em crânios secos adultos do Nordeste brasileiro: análise antropológica forense / Persistence of metopic suture in adult dry skulls from Northeast Brazil: a forensic anthropological analysis / Persistencia de la sutura metópica en cráneos secos adultos del Nordeste de Brasil: análisis antropológico forense

A sutura metópica forma-se aproximadamente no primeiro trimestre da vida intrauterina entre os dois centros de ossificação que irão formar o osso frontal. Há controvérsias na literatura em relação ao momento em que essa sutura oblitera, mas se sabe que ocorre antes dos dez anos de idade; entretanto, essa sutura pode não obliterar e persistir ao longo da vida do indivíduo. Este trabalho objetivou relatar a persistência da sutura metópica em crânios secos de esqueletos humanos adultos pertencentes ao Centro de Estudos em Antropologia Forense da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade de Pernambuco (CEAF/FOP/UPE), com a finalidade de demonstrar a importância para a perícia antropológica forense. Dentre os 426 examinados, foram identificados dez crânios (2,4%) com a presença de sutura metópica completa, sendo 5 do sexo masculino e 5 do feminino, compreendendo uma faixa etária de 29 a 86 anos. A persistência da metópica possui relevância forense, afinal as variações anatômicas são vistas como estruturas que não são consequência de uma patologia e que diferem do encontrado na população geral, tornando o indivíduo que as possui ainda mais único. Dessa forma, essa variação anatômica pode atuar como auxiliar no processo de identificação humana na perícia antropológica forense... (AU)

The metopic suture forms approximately in the first trimester of intrauterine life between the two ossification centers that will form the frontal bone. There are controversies in the literature as to when this suture obliterates, but it is known to occur before the age of ten; however, this suture may not obliterate and persist throughout the individual's life. This work aimed to report the persistence of the metopic suture in dried skulls of adult human skeletons belonging to the Center for Studies in Forensic Anthropology of the School of Dentistry of the University of Pernambuco (CEAF/FOP/UPE) in order to demonstrate its importance for forensic anthropology. Among the 426 skeletons examined, ten skulls (2.4%) with complete metopic sutures were identified, five male and five female, ranging in age from 29 to 86 years. The persistence of metopic sutures has forensic relevance, after all, anatomical variations are seen as structures that are not a consequence of pathology and that differs from what is found in the general population, making the individual who has them even more unique. Thus, this anatomical variation can act as an aid in the process of human identification in forensic anthropology... (AU)

La sutura metópica se forma aproximadamente en el primer trimestre de vida intrauterina entre los dos centros de osificación que formarán el hueso frontal. Existen controversias en la literatura sobre el momento en que se oblitera esta sutura, pero se sabe que ocurre antes de los diez años; sin embargo, esta sutura puede no obliterarse y persistir durante toda la vida del individuo. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo informar sobre la persistencia de la sutura metópica en cráneos desecados de esqueletos humanos adultos pertenecientes al Centro de Estudos em Antropologia Forense de la Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade de Pernambuco (CEAF/FOP/UPE), con el fin de demostrar su importancia para la antropología forense. Entre los 426 esqueletos examinados, se identificaron diez cráneos (2,4%) con presencia de sutura metópica completa, 5 masculinos y 5 femeninos, con edades entre 29 y 86 años. La persistencia de la sutura metópica tiene relevancia forense, después de todo las variaciones anatómicas son vistas como estructuras que no son consecuencia de una patología y que difieren de lo que se encuentra en la población general, haciendo aún más único al individuo que las presenta. Así pues, esta variación anatómica puede servir de ayuda en el proceso de identificación humana en antropología forense... (AU)

Limitaciones Técnicas del Método de Conteo de Anulaciones del Cemento para Estimación de Edad. Hallazgos a Partir de Una Revisión con Búsqueda Sistemática / Technical Limitations of Cementum Annulation Count Method for age Estimation. Findings From A Scoping Review

En la última década, la odontología forense se ha enfocado en el desarrollo de metodologías para la estimación de edad (EE) debido a la gran demanda en procesos identificatorios. Entre esas técnicas, el conteo de anulaciones del cemento dental (TCA) ha ofrecido resultados promisorios, pero también contradictorios que han generado dudas sobre su precisión y confiabilidad. El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar, establecer alcances, e identificar las limitaciones del conteo de TCA según los actuales estándares normativos y metodológicos. Se realizó una revisión con búsqueda sistemática del método de conteo de TCA para EE incluyendo estudios experimentales y notas técnicas en las bases PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science (WoS) y Embase. Se emplearon los términos "estimation", "age" y "cementum", con búsqueda manual complementaria en Google Scholar. Se excluyeron revisiones, estudios en colecciones arqueológicas, estudios radiológicos y cartas al editor. La búsqueda arrojó un total de 273 artículos, seleccionándose 27 que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. La mayoría de los estudios fueron publicados en Asia, particularmente en India (n=21). Sólo 6 artículos declararon el número total de individuos, tipos de diente y de cortes histológicos, siendo el premolar el más estudiado. Apenas dos artículos evaluaron la calidad de la muestra a analizar mediante legibilidad de los cortes obtenidos. El test más empleado para evaluar la precisión del método fue el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson (n=21). Estos hallazgos exponen la alta heterogeneidad reportada en las metodologías de EE mediante conteo por TCA, por lo que aún no existe un proceso estandarizado que abarque todas sus etapas y entregue resultados confiables siguiendo los estándares jurídicos actuales para la evidencia científica. Un mayor control de las limitaciones técnicas detectadas aumentará el valor como prueba en un contexto identificatorio legal o forense.

SUMMARY: In the last decade, forensic odontology has focused on the development of age estimation (AE) methodologies due to the great request in identification processes. Among these techniques, the tooth cementum annulation (TCA) count method has offered promising but also contradictory results, raising questions about its accuracy and reliability. The aim of this work was to characterize, establish the scope, and identify the limitations of the TCA count method according to the current normative and methodological standards. A scoping review was carried out for TCA count methods for AE, including experimental studies and technical notes in the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science (WoS) and Embase databases. The terms "estimation", "age" and "cementum" were used, with a complementary manual search in Google Scholar. Reviews, studies in archaeological collections, radiological studies and letters to the editor were excluded. The search yielded a total of 273 articles, selecting 27 of them that met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies were published in Asia, particularly India (n=21). Only 6 articles declared the total number of individuals, types of teeth, and histological sections, with the premolar being the most studied. Only two articles evaluated the quality of the sample to be analyzed through the legibility of the cuts obtained. The most widely used test to assess the precision of the method was the Pearson correlation coefficient (n=21). These findings expose the high heterogeneity reported in EE methodologies by counting TCA, so there is still no standardized process that covers in all its stages and delivers reliable results following current legal standards for scientific evidence. More control of the detected technical limitations will increase the value as evidence in a legal or forensic identification context.

30 years of the ABFO study: Reproduction in a Brazilian sample.

The ABFO study on third molar development is a benchmark in the scientific literature of dental age estimation. In its 30th anniversary, the study has been reproduced in the present external validation. Standardized comparative outcomes were obtained and discussed across studies. The sample consisted of 1.087 panoramic radiographs of Brazilian females (n=542, 49.87%) and males (n=545, 50.13%) between 14 and 22.9 years. All available third molars were classified into developmental stages following Mincer's adaptation of Demirjian's system (8 sequential stages, from A to H). The mean chronological age of individuals within each stage was assessed. The probability of an individual being ≥ 18 years was calculated for each third molar, sex and stage. Maxillary and mandibular third molars showed a similar development with an agreement between stages of about 90%. In general, males developed 0.5 years (6 months) earlier than females. The probability of being an adult increased considerably when at least one third molar is in stage G. Maxillary third molars had higher coefficients of determination (right: 0.704; left: 0.702), showing that statistical models with these teeth could explain better the age estimation outcomes. The reproducibility of the ABFO study on third molar development led to reference tables and probability measures for the studied Brazilian population.

Forensic odontology: Wrong convictions, "bad apples" and "the innocence files".

Forensic odontology (FO) provides expert testimony; however, new criticism has identified FO as one of the fields that must strengthen its scientific foundations. The recent Netflix documentary titled "The Innocence Files", featuring wrongful convictions, dedicates three of its nine episodes almost exclusively to bite mark identification (BMI), one of the most questioned tests performed by FO. Although most of the FO fields have an undoubted utility in forensic and juridical context, only BMI has been questioned in recent years; the derogatory expression "Junk science" is used continuously in the documentary almost as a synonym for FO. We present a scoping review of cases reported in the US National Registry of Exonerations in which FO was false or misleading forensic evidence (F/MFE) leading to wrongful convictions. Although in the 26 cases identified the only declared F/MFE was the BMI (excluding any other type of dental expertise), only in 2 cases (7.69%) was F/MFE the sole contributing factor, and in 4 cases (15.38%) there was F/MFE plus three additional factors. Official misconduct was detected in 19 cases (73.08%) and perjury or false accusation in 16 cases (61.54%). It has already been mentioned how dangerous it is to consider FO as synonymous with "bite mark identification", or even to publicly provide incorrect or decontextualized information. This review shows that erroneous convictions have been exclusively in the field of BMI, and that FO encompasses much more than just BMI. The relationship between the media and forensic sciences has been strained. The perspective of the new culture of risk management in forensics is also discussed.

Tiempo empleado para estimar edad dental en niños peruanos comparando el método de Demirjian y el cuadro integral del enfoque de Demirjian: un estudio piloto / Time spent to estimate dental age in peruvian children comparing the demirjian method and the comprehensive chart based on demirjian method: a pilot study

El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar el tiempo empleado al estimar la edad dental (ED) entre el método propuesto por Demirjian et al. y el cuadro integral del enfoque de Demirjian (DAEcc) utilizando radiografías panorámicas digitales de individuos peruanos de 5 a 13 años residentes en Lima. Se realizó un estudio no experimental, comparativo, transversal y retrospectivo. Se utilizaron 100 radiografías panorámicas digitales que presentaban siete dientes permanentes mandibulares izquierdos. Una odontóloga forense capacitada y calibrada determinó el tiempo utilizado en evaluar la maduración dental y la estimación de ED con dos métodos (Demirjian y DAEcc). La unidad de medida utilizada fue los minutos (min.). No hubo diferencias en el tiempo de evaluación del estadio de maduración dental entre ambos métodos (p<0,05). El tiempo para estimar ED fue estadísticamente inferior con DAEcc (2,09 min) que con Demirjian (4,19 min). La diferencia del tiempo total de evaluación resultó estadísticamente significativa entre ambos métodos (Δ2,1 min.; 2,05-2,11; p=0,000). La aplicación del DAEcc redujo en 50 % el tiempo empleado en estimar ED en comparación con los cuadros propuestos por Demirjian. Aunque la odontología forense se centra en el estudio de la eficacia de estimación de la edad, es necesario abordar también su uso práctico.

SUMMARY: The objective of this study was to compare the time used to estimate dental age (DA) between the method proposed by Demirjian et al., and the comprehensive chart for dental age estimation (DAEcc) using digital panoramic radiographs of Peruvian individuals aged 5 to 13 years residing in Lima. A non- experimental, comparative, cross-sectional and retrospective study was carried out. 100 digital panoramic radiographs showing seven mandibular left permanent teeth were used. A trained and calibrated forensic odontologist determined the time used to assess tooth maturation and DA estimation with two methods (Demirjian and DAEcc). The unit of measurement used was minutes (min.). There were no differences in the evaluation time of the dental maturation stage between both methods (p<0.05). The time spent to estimate DA was statistically less with DAEcc (2.09 min) than with Demirjian (4.19 min). The difference in total evaluation time was statistically significant between both methods (Δ2.1 min; 2.05-2.11; p=0.000).The application of DAEcc reduced by 50 % the time spent estimating DA compared to the method proposed by Demirjian. Although forensic odontology focuses on the study of the effectiveness of age estimation, its practical use needs to be addressed as well.