Journal of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology最新文献

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.

The use of teeth to estimate the age of unknown bodies provides much help especially in skeletal remains with no soft tissues left for identification. However, dental age estimation utilizing degenerative changes in teeth like dentinal translucency is often hampered with large margin of error. This study aims to compare the accuracy of Kvaal's radiographic method (intraoral periapical radiograph) with modified Bang-Ramm dentinal root translucency method in estimating dental age in Malay adults. One-hundred teeth of maxillary and mandibular incisors and canine were collected following dental extraction. Date of birth, date of extraction, gender and ethnicity were documented prior to extraction. All teeth were assessed using two methods of dental age estimation: 1) The equation from Kvaal's radiographic method and 2) Formula from modified Bang-Ramm dentinal root translucency method. The results from the age estimation were compared to the chronological age of the persons from whom the teeth were extracted. The average dental age estimated using both methods significantly correlated with the chronological age for both men and women. Overestimation and underestimation with mean absolute error up to 13 years and 15 years was observed in modified Bang-Ramm and Kvaal, respectively. The estimated age calculated from both methods also showed increasing standard deviation as the patient gets older. From the obtained results it is reasonable to conclude that modified Bang-Ramm method gives better accuracy for dental age estimation in Malay adults.

Introduction: The number of reported dental malpractice cases has increased in recent years. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of Peruvian court sentences related to dental procedures.

Materials and methods: In the present descriptive study, 33 sentences issued by the civil court of Peru, from 2011 to 2016 were collected. Useful information from the sentences was extracted and analyzed using the SPSS 18 software.

Results: Data showed that dentists were found guilty in 84.8% of sentences due to absence of suitability in dental treatment. Male dentists (61.1%) were involved in more cases than female dentists. Prosthodontics (33.3%) was the dental specialty subject to most claims.

Conclusions: Dentists like other health professionals are regulated by legal rules in the country they practise. As part of dental practice and in order to avoid claims, having a full clinical history and informed consent should be mandatory.

The objective of the present study was to analyze the radiographic visibility of the periodontal ligament in completed root formation lower third molars in a sample of lower northern Thai population. Digital panoramic images from 800 patients with ages ranging from 16 to 26 years were used in this study. The visibility status of the periodontal ligament of lower third molars with completed root formation including apical closure was assessed. For each stage, the minimum age, maximum age, median, mean, and standard deviation were calculated. The minimum age found in stage 0 was 16.17 years in males and 17.00 years in females. Stage 1 was first achieved at the age of 16.17 years in males and 17.08 years in females. The earliest onset of stage 2 was 17.00 years in males and 18.17 years in females. The incidence of stage 3 was first observed at 19.17 years in males and 18.83 years in females. It may be concluded that the radiographic visibility of the periodontal ligament in lower third molars may be a useful approach in the dental age assessment in a Thai population. In case the periodontal ligament visibility is found to be in stage 2, it may be confirmed that the individual is at least 18 years of age.

In many countries, the 16 years of age threshold is considered to be legally relevant according to the law. This research aims to ascertain the sensitivity and specificity of Olze et al. stages of root pulp visibility (RPV) in a sample of 760 south Indian children aged between 12 and 20 years, with an age threshold of 16 years, using receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curve (AUC). Spearman's rho correlation showed a strong positive correlation between the RPV stages and age. No significant difference between the right and left lower first molars was seen. RPV Stage 2 showed the highest AUC in both females (0.813) and males (0.790). The performance of the RPV Stage 2 to discriminate the legal age threshold of 16 years resulted in the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy values of 0.61, 0.96 and 0.77 in males, 0.65, 0.97 and 0.80 in females. It resulted in 3.6% and 2.9% of false positives and 38.5% and 34.5% of false negatives in both sexes. Even though, RPV Stage 2 can discriminate reasonably well between two age categories, due to the high percentage of false negatives we recommend its use in conjunction with other age estimation methods.