Revisiting autopsies of death by mechanical asphyxia in the search for post-mortem pink teeth.

BACKGROUND: In contemporary forensic practice, Medicine and Dentistry combine forces to improve the search for the cause of death and human identification. The pink tooth phenomenon (PTP) is a cadaveric sign that allegedly manifests more often in victims of asphyxia. However, the scientific literature is scarce and controversial on this aspect. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at screening victims of mechanical asphyxia in order to search for post-mortem pink teeth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospectively, autopsy reports from a local medico-legal institute in South Brazil were revisited in the search for victims of death by asphyxia. Autopsy reports of twenty one victims aged between 6 and 67 years (mean age: 40.6 years ±19.20; median: 37 years) were found and analyzed. RESULTS: The different modalities of asphyxia included drowning (n=7; 33.33%), strangulation (n=1; 4.76%) and hanging (n=13; 61.91%). A single case of PTP was detected (4.76%) - a 26-year-old male victim of hanging. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates and highlights the unspecific aspect of the PTP. In practice, forensic experts must avoid interpretations of this phenomenon as conclusive evidence of the cause of death, such as asphyxia by drowning, strangulation or hanging.

Evaluation of Cameriere and Willems age estimation methods in panoramic radiographs of Brazilian children.

The importance of age estimation in the forensic field is inherent to the process of establishing the biological profile of children, sub-adults and adults. The established profile might be useful for the identification of deceased victims or living individuals when it comes to age of legal interest. In parallel, age estimation is also investigated for clinical purposes, especially for the diagnosis of dental and bone maturation. Several studies were developed to provide accurate age estimation methods based on skeletal and dental development. This study aimed to apply and compare Cameriere's and Willems' methods for dental age estimation in a Brazilian sample. Two examiners performed image analysis and method application in 180 panoramic radiographs of Brazilian children aged 6-14 years old. The ages estimated with both methods revealed a good correlation with the chronological ages of Brazilian boys and girls. Cameriere's method showed a slight underestimation of 0.05 years for girls and 0.03 for boys. Willems' method, on the other hand, showed an overestimation of -0.47 years for girls and -0.39 for boys. Better age estimates were obtained combining the outcomes of both methods. In practice, Cameriere's and Willems' methods reached reliable outcomes and could be applied for dental age estimation purposes.

Age estimation by facial analysis based on applications available for smartphones.

BACKGROUND: Forensic Dentistry has an important role in the human identification cases and, among the analyses that can be performed, age estimation has an important value in establishing an anthropological profile. Modern technology invests for new mechanisms of age estimation: software apps, based on special algorithms, because there is not interference based on personal knowledge, cultural and personal experiences for facial recognition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research evaluated the use of two different apps: "How Old Do I Look? - Age Camera" and "How Old Am I? - Age Camera, Do You Look Like in Selfie Face Pic?", for age estimation analysis in a sample of 100 people (50 females and 50 males). Univariate and multivariate statistical methods were used to evaluate data. RESULTS: A great reliability was seen when used for the male volunteers. However, for females, no equivalence was found between the real age and the estimated age. CONCLUSION: These applications presented satisfactory results as an auxiliary method, in male images.