Estimativa de idade em esqueletos fetais: análise de quatro casos periciais / Age estimation in fetal skeletons: analysis of four forensic cases

Antropologia Forense é uma área da antropologia biológica que pode ser definida como o estudo científico de restos e/ou ossadas humanas, corpos ou parte de corpos que precisam de identificação. Quando uma ossada imatura é encontrada, é possível que ela seja confundida com ossos animais, devido às semelhanças nos formatos e tamanho dos ossos. Além disso, a avaliação da viabilidade fetal está relacionada à estimativa de idade e esses dados também são relevantes em contextos jurídicos, quando se envolvem temas como aborto ou infanticídio. O objetivo desse estudo foi descrever a utilização de um tradicional método de estimativa de idade (Fazekas e Kósa, 1978) em esqueletos fetais e verificar sua aplicabilidade no contexto local, com as amostras do Núcleo de Medicina e Odontologia Legal (NUMOL) de João Pessoa/PB. De acordo com o método, foram mensurados 6 ossos longos (úmero, rádio, ulna, fêmur, tíbia e fíbula) de 4 esqueletos disponíveis. O menor esqueleto analisado teve sua idade estimada entre 18 e 20 semanas e o maior 40 semanas. No único esqueleto catalogado do acervo, a estimativa de idade mostrou-se efetiva, abrangendo a idade real. Nesse contexto, alerta-se para a necessidade de se estabelecer corretamente a idade fetal em casos forenses, o que possibilita responder questionamentos jurídicos, sobretudo quanto à viabilidade da vida intrauterina, trazendo luz as possibilidades de possíveis crimes de aborto ou infanticídio. Ademais, o estudo mostrou-se como um norteador nos trabalhos periciais com a difusão do método, sua execução e aplicação. Contudo, faz-se necessário que novos estudos sejam desenvolvidos buscando a confiabilidade do método com base em ossadas locais e atuais

Forensic Anthropology is a field of biological anthropology that can be defined as the scientific study of human remains and/or bones, bodies or body parts that require identification. When immature bones are found, they may be mistaken for animal bones due to similarities in shape and size. In addition, fetal viability assessment is related to age estimation, and this data is also relevant in legal contexts, when issues such as abortion or infanticide are involved. The objective of this study was to describe the use of a traditional age estimation method (Fazekas and Kósa, 1978) in fetal skeletons and to verify its applicability in the local context, using samples from the Nucleus of Legal Medicine and Dentistry (NUMOL) in João Pessoa/PB, Brazil. According to the method, six long bones (humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia, and fibula) from four available skeletons were measured. The smallest skeleton analyzed had its age estimated between 18 and 20 weeks, and the largest was 40 weeks. In the only cataloged skeleton in the collection, the age estimation was effective, encompassing the real age. In this context, the need to establish fetal age correctly in forensic cases is emphasized, which makes it possible to answer legal questions, especially regarding the viability of intrauterine life, shedding light on the possibilities of possible crimes of abortion or infanticide. Moreover, the study proved to be a guide in forensic work with the dissemination of the method, its execution, and application. However, it is necessary to develop new studies seeking the reliability of the method based on local and current skeletal remains

Sex dimorphism according to the nasozygomatic triangle

Sex is one of the first features to be diagnosed in human identification, composing, with age, ancestry and stature, the so called "big four". Aim: The present study aimed to metrically analyze the sexual dimorphism in skulls of known age and sex from Rio Grande do Sul ­ Brazil. Methods: This was a crosssectional study of metrical analysis, which used a sample comprised of 209 human skulls (106 male and 103 female) older than 22 years old at the time of death, undamaged and without signs of trauma or abnormalities. The point nasion and the most superior points on the zygomaticotemporal sutures from each side were connected forming a triangle. This area was calculated using Heron's formula, and the results were submitted for statistical analysis. Results: All measurements showed significant values for sexual dimorphism. Through the area of the triangle, it was possible to determine sex with an accuracy of 83.97% for males and 83.50% for females. Conclusion: This simple method requires only a caliper, and still can be reliable for forensic human identification. It must be diffused and tested on other samples, and can be used as a good and inexpensive tool for experts in day-to-day practice

Dental developmental anomalies and post-eruption dental disorder: a series of panoramic radiographs

Panoramic radiographs are complementary exams to evaluate oral alterations in an early manner, these changes can be dental developmental anomalies, and post-eruption dental disorder. Aim: This study evaluated the findings in panoramic radiographs and correlated the variables of gender and dental location. Methods: A retrospective study was through the observation of 1.111 panoramic radiographs from the Radiology Department in Brazil. It was included patients from 5 to 79 years of age of both gender, and it classified the anomalies in shape, size, and number and post-eruption dental changes in and correlated with gender and location. Patients with syndromes were excluded from the sample. Results: The majority of the sample was composed of fameles 752 (67.7%), as to the frequency of dental developmental anomalies related lesions 684 cases (61.6%) and post-eruption dental disorder 567 (51.8%), in the radiographs. The most prevalent change was endodontic treatment (32.6%), followed by root dilaceration (25.9%), and included tooth (19.5%). The most prevailing alteration when correlated with the gender variables was the cyst root (p<0.01) in females, and orthodontic treatment (p=0.02) in males and the variable location in the mandible was root dilaceration, giroversion, impacted tooth, taurodontia, microdontia, and endodontic treatment (p<0.01). Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence that dental developmental anomalies e post-eruption dental disorder are frequent alterations in the population with particular characteristics of distribution by sex and location

Análise da importância da documentação odontológica no processo de identificação humana no IML de São Luís, Maranhão / Analysis of the importance of dental records in the process of human identification in the IML of São Luís, Maranhão

Introdução: a Odontologia Legal é considerada um método primário de identificação humana. Consiste na comparação de informações da arcada dentária de um indivíduo em dois momentos distintos, geralmente ante e post-mortem. Por essa razão, necessita-se que as informações ante-mortem estejam bem expostas, atualizadas e conservadas na documentação odontológica. Objetivo: a partir dos laudos cadavéricos realizados pela equipe de odontolegistas em corpos não identificados, avaliar, de acordo com as normas éticas e legais odontológicas, as documentações enviadas ao Instituto Médico-Legal (IML) de São Luís ­ Maranhão, com vistas à identificação desses cadáveres, assim como a sua interferência no confronto entre os dados ante e post-mortem. Material e Métodos: análise dos laudos cadavéricos elaborados pelo IML-MA, bem como das documentações recebidas para posterior confronto de supostas vítimas, no período de 2014 a 2019. Resultados: os laudos revelam que em 76,3% (374) dos cadáveres constavam procedimentos odontológicos realizados em vida, porém apenas 6,4% (24) desses casos apresentavam seus respectivos registros. Discussão: é dever do cirurgião-dentista produzir e conservar uma documentação odontológica satisfatória para cada paciente. Além de servir como defesa do profissional em eventuais processos judiciais, é essencial para a identificação humana através da Odontologia Legal. Sua ausência resulta em maior custo e tempo para uma resposta aos familiares da vítima e ao Estado. Conclusão: o número de documentações clínicas encaminhadas ao IML é aquém do esperado (27), porém a adequada qualidade dessas documentações permitiu 72,4% (21) identificações positivas das vítimas, evidenciando a importância da Odontologia Legal na identificação humana.

Stature Estimate by the Upper Arch: Carrea´s Method Modified / Estimación de la Estatura por Medio del Arco Superior: Método de Carrea Modificado

The Carrea's index is an alternative to estimate the human stature. However, in cases when the jaw is affected, this technique becomes impracticable. Expanding the use of the Carrea's index, by extending it to the upper elements, would increase the chances of the method, especially in cases when only the skull is available for analysis. The aim of the study was to test a new denominator for Carrea's index, so that it could be used for the upper arch, aiming at a new feature to estimate human stature. Plaster models of the arch and the string of the upper arch of 107 dentistry students, aged between 18 and 30 years, previously submitted to anthropometric analysis, were measured with a digital caliper. The data found were inserted in software developed to find a denominator that would result in a higher number of correct answers to real statures, evaluating the left and the right hemiarch, and their average. For the right hemiarch, the denominator with more accuracy for the real stature was the interval from 2.573 to 2.583, with 58.9 %. For the left hemiarch, the best values were from 2.553 to 2.554 with 63.6 %. The average of hemiarchs had as ideal denominator values between 2.579 and 2.581, with 60.7 %. We found no significant statistical difference between denominators. It was possible to obtain a new denominator to apply Carrea's index for the upper arch. The new method had satisfactory accuracy rate and should be tested in other populations to verify its applicability.

El índice de Carrea constituye una alternativa para la estimación de la estatura humana. Sin embargo, esta técnica se torna inviable cuando la mandíbula se encuentra comprometida. Su aplicación a partir de elementos dentales superiores, resultaría de utilidad en los casos en que sólo se dispusiese del cráneo para examinar. El objetivo del estudio fue proponer un nuevo denominador para que el índice de Carrea pueda ser utilizado para el arco superior, en la búsqueda de otro recurso para estimar la estatura humana. El arco y la cuerda fueron medidos, con un calibre digital, sobre los respectivos modelos de yeso superiores de 107 estudiantes de Odontología, que tenían entre 18 y 30 años de edad y habían sido sometidos a análisis antropométricos previos. Los datos obtenidos fueron analizados matemáticamente mediante un programa desarrollado para encontrar un denominador, que proporcionase un mayor número de aciertos para las estaturas reales, evaluando el hemiarco derecho, izquierdo y la media de los hemiarcos. Para el hemiarco derecho, el denominador más apropiado para la estatura real correspondió al intervalo 2,573-2,583, con 58,9 % de acierto. Para el hemiarco izquierdo, los mejores valores quedaron comprendidos entre 2,553 y 2,554, con 63,6 % de acierto. La media de los hemiarcos determinó guarismos ideales, oscilantes entre 2,579 y 2,581, con 60,7 % de acierto. No hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los denominadores hallados. Se obtuvo un nuevo denominador, que permitió el empleo del índice de Carrea para el arco superior, con una tasa de acierto satisfactoria. No obstante, este método debe ser probado y validado para otras poblaciones, verificando su aplicabilidad.

Respect for the Donated Corpse in the View of Dentistry and Medicine Students / Respeto por el Cadáver Donado en la Visión de los Estudiantes de Odontología y Medicina

The teaching of human anatomy in universities in Brazil and around the world is accomplished mainly through the use of donated corpses. However, this methodology is threatened due to the progressive reduction of the number of corpses donated to educational institutions. This research aimed to investigate the ethical profile of undergraduate students of Medicine and Dentistry when working with the corpses during practical classes in anatomy, and to compare the students' knowledge of the law that regulates the donation and use of human cadavers as a means of learning in educational institutions. For this purpose, a sample of 106 students, 63 from the Faculty of Dentistry of Piracicaba - UNICAMP -, and 43 from the Faculty of Medicine of Jundiaí (both in the state of São Paulo, Brazil) filled a questionnaire. The data were statistically analyzed using the chi-square test, and there were virtually no statistically significant difference between the responses of the students of Dentistry and Medicine. Most students did not know the law, and 81 % (Dentistry) and 68 % (Medicine) would not donate their bodies to educational institutions. Although nearly 75 % of students have claimed that teachers emphasized the importance of respect to the donated body, 56 % of future dentists and 46 % of future physicians ensure they have heard some kind of joke about the cadaver during class, although only 4.76 % and 13.95 %, respectively, have confessed to have already presented this inappropriate behavior. Thus, it can be inferred that there is an urgent need for dissemination of the importance of body donation programs, and the teaching of ethical principles concerning to the corpse, to ensure continuity of quality of education offered in biomedical field.

La enseñanza de la anatomía humana en las universidades en Brasil y en el mundo se lleva a cabo principalmente a través del uso de partes de cadáveres. Sin embargo, esta metodología está amenazada debido a la reducción progresiva del número de cadáveres transferidos a las instituciones educativas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar el perfil ético de los estudiantes de odontología y medicina sobre el cuerpo durante las lecciones prácticas de anatomía, y comparar el conocimiento de la ley que regula la donación y utilización de cadáveres humanos como un medio de aprendizaje en las instituciones educativas. Una muestra de 106 estudiantes, 63 del curso de Odontología de la Facultad de Odontología de Piracicaba - UNICAMP - y 43 estudiantes de medicina de la Facultad de Medicina de Jundiaí (ambas ubicadas en São Paulo ­ Brasil), respondió a un cuestionario. Los datos fueron sometidos a un análisis estadístico mediante la prueba de chi-cuadrado. Se observó que no había diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre las respuestas. La mayoría de los estudiantes no conocen la ley, y 81 % (Odontología) y 68 % (Medicina) no donarían su cuerpo a las instituciones educativas. Aunque aproximadamente 75 % de los estudiantes afirman que los profesores enfaticen el respeto por el cuerpo, 56 % de los futuros dentistas y 46 % de los futuros médicos aseguran que han escuchado chistes y comentarios desagradables sobre el cuerpo durante las clases, aunque sólo 4,76 % y 13,95 %, respectivamente, han confesado haber cometido tal práctica. Conclusiones: Por lo tanto, se puede inferir que hay una necesidad apremiante para la divulgación de las leyes que rigen la donación de órganos y la conciencia de los cadáveres de donación, así como la enseñanza de los principios éticos de respeto por el cuerpo, para asegurar la continuidad de la calidad de la educación que se ofrece en las ciencias biomédicas.

Violence against women: caracteristics of head and neck injuries / Violência contra a mulher: características das lesões de cabeça e pescoço

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of aggression in head and neck regions suffered by women who are victims of gender violence, and to analyze the variation in the number of cases before and after the enactment of the Maria da Penha Law. Methods: A survey was conducted on the records of examinations of personal injury made in the Department of Forensic Medicine in Vitória, in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo. The study included women victims of bodily injury, referred as a result of domestic, family or conjugal violence, aged between 11 and 80. Results: The number of cases analyzed in this study exhibited an oscillation during the years studied. The results reveal that female victims are, in most cases, young, aged between 20 and 30, single and do not work outside the home. The victim's husband or partner was the main offender, mostly using parts of the body, like the hands and feet, as the means of aggression. The most frequent craniofacial injuries were ecchymosis and abrasions, more often in orbital, cervical and frontal regions. Conclusions: The characteristics related to violence against women obtained through this study are of great importance and should be highlighted and publicized, to encourage implementation of public policies and practical actions of acceptance and recognition of such violence, including the insertion of the Forensic Dentist on the staff of experts in all Institutes of Forensic Medicine in the country.

RESUMO Objetivo: O presente trabalho buscou levantar as características das agressões em regiões de cabeça e pescoço sofridas por mulheres vítimas de violência de gênero e analisar a variação do número de casos antes e depois da promulgação da Lei Maria da Penha. Métodos: Foi realizado um levantamento nos registros dos exames de lesão corporal realizados no Departamento Médico Legal de Vitória, Espírito Santo. Foram incluídas mulheres vítimas de lesões corporais, encaminhadas em decorrência de violência doméstica, familiar ou conjugal com idade entre 11 e 80 anos. Resultados: A quantidade de casos analisados nesse estudo exibiu uma oscilação durante os anos estudados. Os resultados revelam que a mulher vitimizada é, na maior parte dos casos, jovem, numa faixa etária entre 20 e 30 anos e solteira, e não trabalha fora de casa. O companheiro ou marido da vítima foi o principal agressor, utilizando principalmente segmentos do corpo, como mãos e pés, como meio de agressão. As lesões craniofaciais mais encontradas foram equimose e escoriação, mais frequentes nas regiões orbitária, cervical e frontal. Conclusão: As características relacionadas à violência contra a mulher obtidas pelo trabalho têm grande importância e devem ser evidenciadas e divulgadas, a fim de que políticas públicas sejam implantadas e ações práticas de acolhimento e reconhecimento desse tipo de violência sejam tomadas, incluindo a inserção do Odontolegista no quadro de peritos de todos os Institutos Médicos Legais do país.

Use of the Chronological Dental Mineralization Table of Nicodemo, Moraes and Medici Filho (1974) to Estimate Age by Undergraduate Dentistry Students

Objective: To evaluate the agreement and applicability of the Chronological Dental Mineralization Table of Nicodemo, Moraes and Medici Filho (1974) to estimate age held by undergraduate Dentistry students at the Federal University of Paraíba. Material and Methods: Field research applied with a sample of 50 students according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Sequentially, 3 panoramic radiographs were exposed (actual age known only by teachers), and students were instructed to interpret them from the selection of 2-4 teeth under formation. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (Statistical Package for Social Sciences), version 20.0, adopting significance level of 5%. Results: Most students chose 3 teeth, with percentages of 56.0% (n = 28); 38.0% (n = 19) and 58.0% (n = 29) for radiographs 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Teeth selected with greater frequency were: 47 (20.1%, n = 33) and 45 (19.5%, n = 32) - radiography 1; 38 (22.7%, n = 32) and 18 (13.4%, n = 19) - radiography 2; and 47 (17.9%; n = 26) and 36 (13.7%; n = 20) - radiography 3. The agreement between estimated and actual ages was 60.0% for radiography 1, 12.0% for radiography 2 and 32.0% for radiography 3. Age was underestimated in 40.0% (n = 20) and 88.0% (n = 44) in radiographs 1 and 2, respectively. Overestimation of the actual age occurred only in radiography 3 (68.0%; n = 34). The linear regression analysis revealed that it is possible to estimate the actual age from the maximum age stipulated by training students with 88.1% success rate. Conclusion: The method is applicable; however, the correlation between estimated and actual ages varied considerably among radiographs, and maximum estimated values were closer to the actual age than minimum values.

Análise de lesões orofaciais registradas no Instituto Médico-Legal de São Luís (MA), no período de 2011-2013 / Analysis of orofacial injuries recorded in the Forensic Medicine Institute of São Luís (MA), from 2011 to 2013

Introdução: Os traumas são causas comuns de morbidades e mortalidade da população mundial. Um dos mais prevalentes é o bucomaxilofacial, pois a face é uma região muito exposta e pouco protegida.Traumas faciais podem resultar em lesões de tecidos moles e fraturas ósseas, causando graves complicações e até danos irreversíveis, e seu autor deve ser enquadrado corretamente segundo a legislação brasileira. Objetivo: Analisar o perfil das vítimas, as causas, as características das lesões orofaciais, bem como o profissional responsável pela perícia e a classificação da lesão de acordo com o artigo 129 do Código Penal Brasileiro. Método: Foram analisados laudos emitidos por médicos e odontolegistas do Instituto Médico Legal da cidade de São Luís (MA), no ano de 2011 à 2013 de vítimas acometidas por lesões orofaciais. Resultados: Os resultados demonstraram que o sexo masculino foi omais atingido (55,4%), a faixa etária mais envolvida foi 20-29 anos (40,3%), a etiologia principal foi agressão física (73,4%), a lesão mais frequente foi escoriação (25,3%) e a região mais acometida da facefoi a orbitária (26%). O profissional que mais emitiu laudos foi o médico-legista (90,8%). Das lesõesorofaciais qualificadas (39,8%), 23,0% resultaram em debilidade da função mastigatória, 4,5% emdebilidade da função mastigatória e estética e 22,3% em deformidade permanente. Conclusão: Conclui-seque é grande o número de lesões orofaciais registradas no IML de São Luís e que essas lesões foram avaliadas mais criteriosamente pelo odontolegista, ressaltando-se, com isso, a fundamental atuação desse profissional nas perícias dessa natureza.

Introduction: Traumas are common causes of morbidities and mortality in world's population. Maxillofacialtrauma is one of the most prevalent, because face is very exposed and unprotected. Facial trauma canresult in soft tissue injuries and bone fractures, causing serious complications and even permanen tdamages, making necessary the appropriate legal framework of attackers. Objective: To analyze theprofile of the victims, reason and the characteristics of orofacial lesions recorded in Forensic MedicineInstitute data, São Luís (MA), Brazil, between years of 2011 to 2013, as well as the professional responsible for expertise (doctors and dentists) and classifications in accordance with Article 129 of theBrazilian Penal Code. Methods: It were analyzed reports issued by doctors and dentistry in the period of2011 to 2013, for affected patients with orofacial injuries. Results: Results showed that male sex was themost affected (55,4%), age most involved was 20-29 years (40,3%), the main etiology was physicalaggression (73,4%), the most common injury was abrasion (25,3%) and the region most affected was theorbital (24,9%). The professional that issued more reports was the coroner (90,8%). Between the qualifiedorofacial lesions (39,8%), 23,0% resulted in weakness of masticatory function, 4,5% in weakness ofmasticatory function and aesthetics and 22,3% in permanent deformity. Conclusion: It was concluded that the number of orofacial injuries registered in the IML of São Luís data was great and these lesions wereevaluated more critically by forensics dentists, requiring their presence of this professional.

¿Son los índices caninos mandibular y maxilar herramientas fidedignas para la determinación del sexo? / Are mandibular and maxillary canine indexes reliable tools for sex determination?

Los dientes, elementos medulares del sistema estomatognático, se erigen como una espléndida materia prima para investigaciones paleontológicas, arqueológicas, antropológicas, genéticas y forenses, dada su colosal resistencia a las más extremas condiciones intra vitam y/o post mortem. La información relativa a su tamaño ha permitido la aplicación de procedimientos tendientes a estimar la edad y determinar el sexo, contribuyendo así, con el propio proceso de identificación humana. Objetivos: este estudio buscó verificar si los índices caninos mandibular y maxilar, constituían instrumentos confiables y válidos para la determinación del sexo, en una muestra uruguaya. Metodología: se trató de un análisis odontométrico de 1000 modelos de yeso (475 superiores – 238 de individuos del sexo femenino y 237 del masculino -, y 525 inferiores – 261 y 264 -, respectivamente), pertenecientes a pacientes, con edades comprendidas entre 18 y 60 años, asistidos en una clínica de ortodoncia de la ciudad de Montevideo, Uruguay, consistente en las mediciones del diámetro mesiodistal de los caninos y la distancia intercanina, y el cálculo de los correspondientes índices caninos. Resultados: La tasa de acierto global fue del 45.9% para el índice canino mandibular y del 50.52% para su homólogo superior. Conclusiones: los índices caninos mandibular y maxilar no permitieron una determinación segura del sexo en la muestra cuestionada...

Teeth, essential components of stomatognathic system, stand as a splendid raw material for paleontological, archaeological, anthro-pological, genetic and forensic researches by virtue of their colossal resistance to extreme intra-vitam and/or post-mortem conditions. Information on their size has allowed the application of procedures for age estimation and sex determination, thus contributing to the process of human identification itself. Objectives: the aim of this paper was to verify whether mandibular and maxillary canine indexes were reliable and valid instruments for sex determination in a Uruguayan sample. Methods: the survey was an odontometric analysis of 1000 dental stone casts (475 upper – 238 from females and 237 from males -, and 525 inferior – 261 and 264 - respectively) belonging to patients, aged between 18 and 60 years, assisted in one orthodontic clinic of Montevideo, Uruguay, consisting of measurements of mesiodistal diameter of canines and intercanine distance, and calculation of canine indexes. Results: the overall success rate was 45.9% for the mandibular canine index and 50.52% for the maxillary canine index. Conclusions: mandibular and maxillary canine indexes did not allow safe sex determination in the questioned sample...

Contribución de la antropología dental en la determinación de la identidad uruguaya / Contribution of dental anthropology in determining the Uruguayan identity

Los dientes constituyen un excelente material para investigaciones de carácter antropológico, genético, odontológico y forense, gracias asu fácil accesibilidad y estructura casi indestructible. El análisis de sus rasgos morfológicos ha resultado de suma utilidad en la determinacióndel grado de variación de los grupos poblacionales y en el propio proceso de identificación humana. Objetivos: este estudio buscó verificar la presencia de algunas características anatómicas dentales en uruguayos, en la procura de correlacionarlas con la ascendenciade los mismos. Metodología: consistió en una evaluación cualitativa de nueve caracteres morfológicos dentales, llevada a cabo sobre los respectivos juegos de modelos de yeso de 544 individuos, 273 del sexo femenino y 271 del masculino, con edades comprendidas entre 18 y 60 años, asistidos en una clínica de ortodoncia de la ciudad de Montevideo. Resultados: se constató la predominancia de segundosmolares inferiores con cuatro cúspides, seguidos en orden decreciente, por segundos molares superiores con tres cúspides, incisivos en forma de pala y molares superiores con tubérculo de Carabelli. Conclusiones: la muestra observada presentó nítida influencia delcomplejo dental caucasoide y cierta similitud con el mongoloide.

Teeth constitute an excellent material for anthropological, genetic, odontologic and forensic investigations by virtue of their easy accessibilityand almost unbreakable structure. The analysis of morphological traits has proven very useful in determining the degree of human variation and in the proper identification process. Objectives: the aim of this paper was to verify the presence of some dentalanatomical features in Uruguayans, in attempts to correlate them with their ancestry. Methods: the research consisted in a qualitative assessment of nine dental morphological characters, performed on the respective sets of plaster models of 544 individuals, 273 females and 271 males, aged between 18 and 60 years, assisted in one orthodontic clinic of Montevideo. Results: it was found predominanceof mandibular second molars with four cusps, followed in decreasing order by upper second molars with three cusps, shovel-shaped incisors and upper molars with Carabelli’s trait. Conclusions: the sample showed clear influence of Caucasoid dental complex and somesimilarity to Mongoloid dental complex.

Sex determination in Uruguayans byodontometric analysis

Sex assessment plays an important role in the forensic and bioarchaeological spheres. Teeth are invaluable elements in non-living populations for sex determination, since they commonly resist post-mortem damages and are latent sources of information about dimorphism. Aim: The present study consisted in an odontometric analysis willing to examine sexual dimorphism in Uruguayans. Methods: One hundred and twelve inferior dental stone casts, 56 from males and 56 from females, aged between 21 and 60 years, from one orthodontic clinic of Montevideo, capital of Uruguay, were analyzed. Several measurements and calculations were made, such as mesiodistal diameter and gingivoincisal length of mandibular canines, intercanine distance, mandibular canine index and the area of a virtual triangle. Results: Only mesiodistal diameter and gingivoincisal length of right canine, and the area of the triangle showed statistically significant differences between both sexes. The authors obtained a logistic regression model for sex determination with a reliability rate of 72.3% and a classification and regression tree with an accuracy of 77.7%. Conclusions: The results revealed that this method can be applied in forensic anthropology, as an auxiliary tool in human identification.

Analysis of canine dimorphism in the estimation of sex

Aim: To evaluate the sexual dimorphism of mandibular and maxillary canines among dental students of the Federal University of Paraiba, Brazil. Methods: This was an observational, blind and cross-sectional study with comparative and statistical-descriptive procedure. Fifty-one pairs of plaster models belonging to undergraduate dental students aged 18-29 years were analyzed. Quantitative data were organized and processed by means of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 15.0. This research has followed the guidelines of 196/ 96 Brazilian Resolution of the National Health Council, Ministry of Health. Results: All measures were found to show statistically significant differences between sexes (p<0.001) according to Student’s t-test. Regarding the difference between the four canines for each sex separately, it was found difference only between mandibular and maxillary canines (p<0.001) according to the F test (ANOVA), but with no significant difference between the right and left sides. Conclusions: Odontometric techniques allowed concluding that canine teeth present statistically significant sexual dimorphism, and that they may be useful in the estimation of sex in complementary methods during body identification. The data obtained in this study were compared with those of other studies to provide information about sexual dimorphism be specific for each population.

Palatal rugoscopy as a method of human identification / Rugoscopia palatina como método de identificação humana

Test the applicability of the formula in palatoscopy.Methodology: three observers examined 30 plaster models of the upper arch, obtained from dentistry students at the Universidade Federal da Paraiba (UFPB). Rugae were classified as simple and composed and as line, curve, angle, circle, sinuous and point.Results: the intra-observer examination of simple and compound rugae showed a higher coincidence percentage for composed rugae (53.3 to 56.7%), as did inter-observer examinations (43.3% to 55.0%), compared to the 5% - 23.3% obtained for simple rugae. Analysis of the main types revealed that circular rugae showed the highest coincidence percentage (95.0% to 96.7%), followed by angular (61.7% to 66.7%). The line rugae demonstrated the lowest coincidence percentage (11.7% to 45.0%). Inter-observer coincidences were highest in the circle rugae (93.3% to 96.7%) and lowest in the line rugae, with percentages between 16.7% and 15.0%. The higher percentage of composed rugae reflected its good visualization. The high observer agreement in relation to circular rugae is due to the classification of their absence, since this rugae is seldom found, in contrast to line rugae, which are mistaken for wavy rugae and vice versa, often present in the palate. It can be observed that palatal rugae as a method has a large number of classifications, but with low practicability, storage difficulties and absence of universal standards...

Testar a aplicabilidade da fórmula na rugoscopia palatina.Metodologia: três avaliadores examinaram 30 modelos em gesso do arco superior, obtidos de estudantes de Odontologia da UFPB. As rugosidades foram classificadas em simples e compostas e em reta, curva, angular, circular, sinuosa e ponto.Resultados: o exame das rugas simples e compostas, intra avaliador, demonstrou maior percentual de coincidência para as rugas compostas (53,3 a 56,7%), assim como nos exames inter avaliadores, com acertos entre 43,3% e 55,0%, confrontando com os 5,0% e 23,3% obtidos nas rugas simples. Na análise dos tipos fundamentais observa-se que as rugas circulares apresentaram maior percentual de coincidências (95,0% a 96,7%), seguida das angulares (61,7% a 66,7%). A ruga reta demonstrou menor percentual de coincidências (11,7% a 45,0%). As coincidências inter avaliadores foi maior nas rugas circulares (93,3% a 96,7%) e menor nas rugas retas, com percentual entre 16,7% e 15,0%. O maior percentual das rugas compostas demonstra a sua boa visualização. A alta concordância dos avaliadores quanto a rugas circulares ocorre em virtude da classificação de sua ausência, pois raramente se encontra esta ruga, diferente das retas, que se confundem com as sinuosas e vice-versa, frequentemente presentes no palato. Nota-se que a rugosidade palatina como método possui uma grande quantidade de classificações, porém, com praticabilidade baixa, de difícil arquivamento e ausência de padrão universal.Conclusão: a classificação das rugosidades palatinas, por meio da fórmula rugoscópica, não é aplicável devido à subjetividade do método...

Use of dental dimensions estimated from personal portraits in human identification

Many cases of human identification in which traditional methods are not applicable challenge the experts' capability and versatility. In the absence of ante-mortem records, superimposition of skull images over photographs of a possible victim arises as a possible alternative. Aim: The present study was a pilot work willing to validate a new method of sizing images of the face by the use of proportionality principles, taking as reference a few predetermined accessories: a pair of sunglasses, a hat and a necklace. Methods: Twenty-one volunteers were photographed using each one of the accessories mentioned above. Pictures of the dental arches were also taken, with millimeter scale adjacent. The images with accessories were examined by a single operator, who estimated the mesiodistal width of the upper central incisor, for later comparison with the real measures. Results: The accuracy of the method was evaluated by the Student's t-test, which showed that the estimated measures were statistically greater than the real ones. Conclusions: The analysis of the data collected showed that the use of the accessories as a dimensional scale did not generate reliable results.

Carrea’s index in dental students at the Federal University of Paraíba

Aim: To determine the applicability of Carrea’s index in arches with normal tooth position and diastema and to evaluate its use in the maxillary arch. Methods: 51 pairs of plaster models made by dental students from the Federal University of Paraíba were analyzed. The arches and hemiarches were divided according to dental position and measured with a manual caliper and a digital caliper. With these measurements, maximum and minimum heights were estimated, comparing the values to the real height of the subjects. The data were then submitted to Pearson’s chi-square test and Fischer’s Exact test (CI = 95%). Results: In the mandibular hemiarches, there was statistically significant difference (p=0.017) between the types of dental position only in women, with crowded teeth obtaining the highest number of hits (95.2%), followed by diastema (50.0%). Only the left hemiarch was significantly different (p=0.049) and crowded teeth had the highest index of hits (82.6%), whereas diastema accounted for 40.0%. In the maxillary arch, the error percentage was 100% in the three types of dental position. Conclusion: Carrea’s index is applicable in normal and crowded teeth. However, it was not efficient in the maxillary arch and in hemiarches with diastema.