Journal of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology最新文献

IBackground: Child marriage is recognised as a harmful practice. Recently, Indonesia enacted a new law to raise the minimum age of marriage from 16 to 19 years old for women, creating no minimum age difference between males and females. However, this improvement may be detrimental for individuals in remote areas with no legal documentation and the common practices of age falsification to reach the minimum age of marriage. Therefore, implementing an age estimation technique for juveniles is mandatory to reduce the risk of child marriage.

Methods: this study used the third molar maturity index (I3M) to distinguish an individual under or over 19 years old. I3M values from 222 digital OPGs aged between 15 to 23.99 years were calculated. The sample was randomly assigned as a training dataset (n = 156) and testing dataset (n = 66). The logistic regression model was created using a 5-fold cross-validation method, and the Youden's Index Value was used to establish the I3M cut-off value.

Results: the logistic regression model showed significance in both sex and I3M value for predicting the probability of minimum age of marriage. I3M cut-off values of 0.08 and 0.09 for males and females, respectively, were taken. The accuracy of this test was 80% for both sexes in the testing dataset.

Conclusions: the outcome of this pilot study showed a promising result of using I3M as a dental age estimation method to determine whether an individual is over or under 19 years old to comply with the newly enacted legal age of marriage in Indonesia. Future research should be carried out using a balanced age cohort for each sex and a more extensive training sample size to investigate the influence of sex in the cut-off value calculation.

Human identification using Forensic Dentistry occurs through comparative analysis of ante-mortem (AM) and post-mortem (PM) data. With the constant improvement of technology, photographs became a common source of AM data. When clinical dental records are not available, images showing the smile can be useful in human identification. The aim of this study was to investigate human identification techniques through the analysis of smile images in the available literature. Studies on human identification through the analysis of smile images were searched in the scientific literature. The search resulted in 4,043 studies. After screening, 14 studies were considered eligible. Eleven were case reports, two were pilot studies and one a technical note. From the eligible studies, in addition to the methodological data, information about the sample, used techniques and results regarding human identification were extracted. Three techniques were detected: direct comparison of morphological characteristics, AM/PM image overlap, and the analysis of smile lines. One or more associated techniques were used for human identification. Authors highlighted as a common limitation of the techniques the quality of the available images, the difficulty in reproducing PM the same images AM, and the eventual image modifications performed by the victim before posting in social media. Advantages included the low-cost aspect of the technique, as well as a potential fast and accurate procedure (depending on the quantity and quality of evidence). In general, studies considered the technique useful and adjuvant for human identification.

Child abuse or maltreatment has been a global problem and research shows that more than half of the cases present with head and neck injuries. This study aimed to propose an online referencing platform for dental professionals to know more about signs of child abuse and neglect (CAN) and how suspicious head and neck injuries might look like in real-life scenarios by proposing a 3D design. The study was divided into two parts: i) Integrative literature review, ii) Survey. The first part included an integrative literature review to check if there are enough publications by dentists containing real-life images of injuries related to CAN. Using appropriate keywords and searching across four well-known databases 264 publications relevant to CAN were found, of which, only 3 contained real-life images. Part II of the study included a JISC online survey, consisting of two sections, amongst general dentists, pediatric and forensic dentists. The first section of the survey was about the basic knowledge related to CAN management. A total of 61 dentists from 10 different countries filled the survey, of which 83.1% had seen common head and neck injuries involved in CAN, 61% knew about the dentist's role in reporting such cases, and 66.1% were familiar with local law enforcements to contact. The second section of the survey involved going through real-life scenarios to check the participants understanding of how to tackle a real-life case concluding that only 4-10 participants managed to figure the aspects vital to check before reporting such cases which include a proper detailed history, any previous injuries and their stage of progression, clinical examination of injuries and finally whether the injuries are consistent with the history given. To conclude, there is insufficient representation of the real-life head and neck injuries for dentists to see related to child abuse. Also, all specialists agreed that they require further training regarding CAN management with real-life examples. To address this, a 3d model of commonly seen head and neck injuries in CAN along with some other tools, was created for training and educational purposes and was embedded in a website https://3datlasofchildabuse.webflow.io/.

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy, specificity and sensitivity of four commonly used methods of dental age estimation in a sample of south Indian adolescents and young adults aged between 14 and 30 years, with an age threshold of 18 years, using receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) and the area under the curve (AUC). A total of 1070 orthopantomograms (535 males and 535 females) of adolescents and young adults of south Indian origin were collected retrospectively and interpreted. The effectiveness of each method was evaluated by using sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR-) and AUC. Among all methods, I3M< 0.08 resulted in better values of AUC, Se and Sp which were 0.950, 91.5%, 97.8% and 0.950, 88.5% and 98.6% in males and females, respectively. For "stage H" of Demirjian's system, the AUC, Se and Sp were 0.940, 84.9%, 97.7% and 0.930, 79.9% and 98.5% in males and females, respectively. The use of the Olze et al "stage 1 (or higher)" root pulp visibility and "stage D" of third molar eruption were not recommended in the studied population due to the greater percentage of third molars with incomplete mineralization in younger age groups and impaction. Taking into account the values of Se, Sp, both positive and negative LRs, we recommend the use of the cut-off value of I3M< 0.08 to discriminate adults and minors in south Indian adolescents and young adults.

The dental radiographic comparison is one of the most reliable and scientifically accepted methods for body identification (ID). The heterogeneity between AM (ante mortem) and PM (postmortem) x-rays images continues to stand as an issue for the forensic odontologist. Casual dental findings on X-rays for investigation of other structures than teeth or maxillaries, could eventually be a relevant source of dental data for the ID especially when AM dental files or X-rays are lacking. Two cases are reported in which the body ID was achieved through the comparison of PM dental X-rays with dental images obtained by radiographies of other structures (e.g. X-rays of the skull or cervical spine). These cases highlight that these occasional dental findings might provide sufficient evidence for a body identification. In the collection of AM data of missing people, the collection of all available records and radiographies of the head, neck and chest should be carefully reviewed by forensic odontologists, seeking for any available dental data.

The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between the known chronological age and the dental cementum thickness (DCT) in male and female subjects in different age groups.

Material and methods: The study sample consisted of 57 donor teeth of both sexes. Teeth were classified by donors' sex and divided into three age groups: 10-19, 30-39 and 60-69 years. Tooth roots were cut with transverse ground sections in the apical, middle, and cervical thirds. DCT measurements were made on photomicrographs of light microscope. The correlation between DCT and the chronological age was calculated using the Spearman correlation coefficient.

Results: A positive correlation was found (r=0.47, p <0.001) between DCT and age of the donor. DCT decreased from apical to cervical ground section (median [IQR] apical section 216.72 [128.25-375.00] μm, middle section 158.44 [87.66-284.90] μm; cervical section 96.60 [70.05-165.59] µm). DCT variability was influenced by sex, number of tooth roots and the condition of the tooth crown. The influence differed depending on the location of the section, being most prominent cervically.

Conclusion: The present study showed correlation of DCT with age, with significant influence of sex, number of tooth roots, condition of the tooth crown and location of the root section.

The mandible undergoes remodelling and morphological alterations throughout the life of an individual, and it is subjected to sex- and age-related structural changes. Personal identification from skeletal remains represents one of the most difficult challenges for a forensic anthropologist. The study of mandibular morphology is an important aid in determining the sex and age of skeletal remains. The objective of this study was to evaluate the age-related changes of three mandibular dimensions through dry bone measurements: bigonial width, ramus height and gonial angle. A total of 93 skeletal remains were included in this study, from a group of soldiers of Yugoslav origin who lived in two concentration camps in Bari (southern Italy) during World War II. These are included in the collection of the Forensic Anthropology Laboratory of the Institute of Forensic Medicine of Bari. The measurements were recorded after comprehensive examination by a forensic anthropologist and a forensic odonto-stomatologist. The data obtained were analysed statistically using a bivariate test and a multivariate linear regression model, using the Statal 13MP software. The results indicate that the bigonial width and gonial angle vary significantly according to age. In conclusion, this study confirms that the mandible is useful for age estimation in the identification of skeletal remains using these specific mandibular measurements when performed on dry bone without radiological distortion.

India affords special laws and exemptions to minors under the criminal, marriage, labour and administrative laws. Many perpetrators claim to be a minor in the hope of a lenient trial and verdict. The authorities often rely upon forensic experts to provide evidence-based reports. The third molar can be relied upon in the assessment of legal age as it continues developing into the early twenties. The method established by Cameriere et al in 2008 provides an objective method for the accurate evaluation of legal age. Our study was designed to analyze and validate the efficacy of Third Molar Maturity index (I3M) in an Indian Goan population and compare it to published literature. 542 panoramic radiographs of subjects aged between 14 and 24 years were evaluated. The chronologic age increased as I3M reduced. There was no evidence of sexual dimorphism in third molar development across various I3M classes (p>0.05). Receiver Operator Characteristic Curve was plotted for males and females which showed an Area Under Curve of 0.95 (95% CI, 0.92-0.97) and 0.93 (95% CI, 0.90-0.96) respectively. 2x2 contingency tables were used to test the performance of various I3M cut-off values ranging from I3M=0.02 to 0.14. I3M = 0.08 showed the most promising results for the assessment of legal age. Our study achieved a high degree of accurate classification of 0.90 and 0.88 for males and females respectively. Results demonstrate a sensitivity of 0.899 and 0.854 and specificity of 0.90 and 0.93 for males and females respectively. The positive likelihood ratios were 9.88 and 12.44 while negative likelihood ratio was 0.11 and 0.15 for males and females respectively. A favourable Bayes Post Test Probability of 0.95 was noted for both males and females. These results allow us to strongly recommend the use of I3M for the assessment of legal age in an Indian Goan population.

Background: Identifying bodies in a state of putrefaction, skeletonization or mutilation is often difficult. In these cases, it is possible to use auxiliary methods such as forensic facial approximation, considering the possibility of recognition by a relative or acquaintance, helping to obtain ante-mortem data for the identification process. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the capacity of recognition of individuals from digital facial approximation and to verify the association between the level of understanding of the issue by evaluators and the recognition success index.

Methods: 16 skulls with previous photographic records were selected and then utilized for three-dimensional approximation using the digital technique, scanned by photogrammetry, and reconstructed by computerized method using open-source software. Twenty evaluators tried to recognize the facial approximation performed from images present in the photospreads.

Results: The mean overall score was 23.75%, and it was observed that in only five approximations (31.24%) the option of correct recognition of the victim was the one that obtained the highest number of selections. False positives and negatives corresponded, respectively, to 11.56% and 12.5%.

Conclusions: It can be concluded that the methodology can provide recognition albeit in low numbers, and permitting the acquisition of ante-mortem data for the proper process of human identification through primary methods.

Introduction: Forensic dentistry has, as one of its main goals, the identification of living and/or deceased individuals, based on the individual features of the teeth. One of the identification criteria to be established is the chronological age. Several authors, including Kvaal, have developed age estimation methods based on secondary dentine deposition. Nowadays, three-dimensional imaging tests, such as Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), are used in age estimation.

Objective: The aims of this research project were to validate Kvaal's method and its variables in age estimation and to create new linear regression formulae to better represent the study sample.

Methods: We selected 158 CBCT, with a total of 402 sound teeth (central incisors, lateral incisors and canines). The necessary measurements and ratios were calculated in both coronal and sagittal sections, with XelisDental . The formulae developed by Kvaal for age estimation calculation were applied. Subsequently, the results were statistically analyzed.

Results and discussion: The intraclass correlation coefficients from the two measurements ranged from 0.918 to 0.997. The calculated age estimation had a mean error of -21.4years (coronal section) and -26.3years (sagittal section). The t test revealed statistically significant differences between chronological age and estimated age. The absolute values of Pearson's correlation coefficient between age and the two Kvaal variables ranged from 0.06 to 0.38 and from 0.06 to 0.55. The coefficients of determination are lower than in the original study (between 0.03 and 0.39). In the linear regression formulae, the coefficients of determination ranged from 0.07 to 0.41.

Conclusion: This investigation concludes a non-reproducibility of Kvaal's method in the Portuguese population when applied in CBCT, with statistically significant differences between the chronological age and the dental age, estimated by the pulp/ tooth proportion method, based on the teeth analyzed in this study.