Study of Mandibular Canines and Its Role in Establishing Sex Identity in Subjects of North Bihar

In highly decomposed and mutilated dead body remains dentures are frequently sent for the medicolegal examination by the forensic experts for identification. Dental tissues like bones resist putrefaction for much more longer period and these are in many cases available for examination due to its tough texture and ability to escape destruction. Methods: The present prospective study was done on 450 subjects (225 males and 225 females) of known age and sex, from different socio-economic strata and religion belonging to north region of Bihar state. Their age ranges vary from 14-73 years. The mandibular and maxillary canines of both sides were measured in both sexes. Various dimensions namely, mandibular and maxillary canine crown width, crown length and canine separation width were taken in each case with the help of dividers and vernier calipers with a resolution of 0.1mm. Results: In the present study, regarding mandibular canines in males, crown length showed the maximum accuracy (92.0%) of sex identity in the age group (E) 54-63 years and canine separation width showed the minimum accuracy of 40% in the age group (D) 44-53 years. In females, crown width showed the maximum accuracy of 83.33% in the age group (D) 44-53 years and minimum accuracy of 30% by crown length in the age group (F) 64-73 years. Regarding the maxillary canines, in males, the crown length showed the maximum accuracy (90%) of sex identity in the age group (D) 44-53 years and the minimum accuracy of 44% in the age group (A) 14-23 years. In females, both crown width and crown length showed the maximum accuracy of 96.66% in the age group (D) 44-53 years and minimum accuracy of 22% by crown width in the age group (B) 24-33 years. Conclusion: The present study revealed this method could be useful as a reliable tool for sex identity when use of other methods are not possible or there is no definite features indicating the sex as in cases when parts of decomposed and skeletonised dead bodies are recovered after a mass disaster or exhumation and also in cases when smaller fragmented part of the body is only available for examination.

A identificação humana de vítimas de desastres em massa: a importância e o papel da Odontologia Legal / Human identification of victims of mass disasters: the importance and role of Forensic Dentistry

A identificação humana é uma das principais atividades desenvolvidas pela Odontologia Legal. Os desastres em massa são os acidentes, naturais ou produzidos diretamente pela ação ou pela influência humana, que geralmente resultam em um elevado número de vítimas fatais. Os corpos, muitas vezes, encontram-se carbonizados, fragmentados, destruídos ou em processo de decomposição avançada, o que dificulta a identificação das vítimas. Os métodos odontológicos são comumente usados nesses casos, pois os dentes possuem alta resistência e, muitas vezes, são a única fonte que determina a identidade de um indivíduo. Objetivo: analisar, por meio da revisão de diferentes casos da literatura, a importância da Odontologia Legal no processo de identificação humana nos desastres em massa e o trabalho do perito odontolegista. Materiais e método: realizou- -se um levantamento bibliográfico, com base em artigos científicos que relatam casos reais em que o método odontológico de identificação humana foi executado e sua aplicabilidade foi analisada, verificando suas vantagens, limitações e eficiência. Resultados: constatou-se que a Odontologia apresenta uma relevante contribuição para a identificação das vítimas em eventos com múltiplas fatalidades. Não raro, o método odontológico de identificação humana apresentou-se como o único passível de emprego em casos com número demasiado de vítimas fatais ou em situações em que os corpos apresentavam-se com a integridade comprometida. Considerações finais: a Odontologia Legal desempenha um importante papel no processo de identificação de vítimas de desastres em massa, pelo fato de os dentes possuírem características que possibilitam o processo de identificação de um indivíduo, sendo, em algumas situações, o único material passível de análise.

Human identification is one of the main activities developed by Forensic Dentistry. Mass disasters are accidents either natural or directly caused by human action or influence, which usually result in a high death toll. Bodies are often charred, fragmented, destroyed, or in advanced decomposition, which complicates the process of identifying the victims. Dental methods are commonly used in these cases due to the high resistance of the teeth. Hence, they are frequently the only source that may determine the identity of an individual. Objective: to analyze through the review of different cases in literature, the importance of Forensic Dentistry in the process of human identification in mass disasters, as well as the role of the forensic dentist. Materials and methods: a literature survey was performed from scientific papers describing real cases in which the dental method for human identification was performed and its applicability was analyzed, to verify its advantages, limitations, and efficiency. Results: it was found that Dentistry has a significant contribution to the identification of victims in events of multiple fatalities. The dental method was often the only possible method of human identification in cases with either too many fatal victims or situations where the bodies were too compromised for analysis. Final considerations: Forensic Dentistry plays an important role in the process of human identification of victims of mass disasters because teeth have features that allow the identification process of an individual, and sometimes it is the only material capable of analysis.

Role of dentist in person identification.

To reinforce awareness among dentists about their role in person identification and the importance of maintaining dental records of all their patients. The article reviews basic procedures of dental identification and some cases where dental identification played a key role in eventual identification of the person. Forensic odontology is an integral part of forensic sciences. Forensic dental identifications, especially in times of mass disasters, depend mainly on the availability of ante mortem dental records. It is the social responsibility of each and every dentist to maintain dental records of their patients for the noble cause of identification in the event of mass disaster.