Orofacial assessment as digital path for forensic and legal evidence record.

ABSTRACT

In forensic scenarios, such as armed conflicts or mass disasters, the oral cavity can be a valuable source of identification information relevant to legal issues. In many European Union countries, it is mandatory to register dental records for identification purposes. A pilot and quasi-experimental study was performed. The study aims to analyze two methodologies, photography and wireless intraoral (IO) laser scanner, in the scope of the orofacial record in forensic pathology, highlighting their impact on human identification. The IO scanner i700 (Medit, Lusobionic, Portugal) and Canon 5D-Full Frame equipment were used to record the individual status, living patients (n = 5), and forensic cases (n = 5). IO and extraoral anatomical structures were recorded following six parameters time, mineralized and soft detail, communication, extra devices, and distortion. The statistical analysis was performed in accordance with a scoring system and Mann-Whitney (P < 0.05) analysis. The photography method recorded extraoral data for all samples (score range between 15 and 23). The time elapsed to complete an IO scan in forensic cases was shorter than with photography, without requiring additional sources of light or mirror devices. Living patients and corpses identified statistically significant differences. It can be concluded that laser scanners are a valuable tool in the field of forensic pathology and can be used to record and analyze anatomic-morphological data for identification purposes accurately. Key points Human identification engages in orofacial details records.Photographic and laser scans record intraoral and extraoral anatomic structures.Forensic cases assessed by intraoral scanner technology are accurate and less time-consuming, optimizing the orofacial data for identification.