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Forensic odontology (FO) is regarded in the literature as one of the most reliable and economical scientific methods for victim identification in mass disasters (MDs). The present paper systematically reviews the role of forensic odontologists in various global MDs. A comprehensive search of the literature databases (PubMed, Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Google Scholar), along with cross-referencing published peer-reviewed articles, was conducted. The search included full texts, abstracts or titles, had no inclusion year limit (searched until September 2017) and was limited to the English language. Keywords included a combination of 'Forensic odontology', 'Dental records', 'Victim identification', 'Natural mass disaster', 'Criminal mass disaster', 'Accidental mass disaster' and 'Victim disaster'. Of the included disasters (20), 12 (57.14%) were accidental, 5 (23.80%) natural and 3 (19.04%) were criminal. The maximum number of victims was associated with the Japan tsunami (15892), followed by the Thailand tsunami (4280) and the Estonia ferry disaster (852). A total of 23654 victims were reported, of which 20569 (86.96%) were positively identified. Reports from 17 MDs included the use of FO in victim identification [3025 (14.70%) cases]. In addition, 1094 victims (5.31%; from 7 papers) were identified using FO in combination with other methodologies. The highest percentage of victims was identified using FO following the Kentucky air crash (47; 100%), followed by the Newark air crash (38; 76%), the Nepal air crash (10; 71.42%), the France air crash (56; 65.88%), the Australian bushfire (14; 63.63%), and the Estonia ferry disaster (57; 60.63%). FO has played a significant role in victim identification in several MDs around the world. The success of FO-based identification is heavily dependent on the availability of ante-mortem records from general dental practitioners. Hence, adequate knowledge about FO and appropriate dental record keeping among general dental practitioners are critical.

The use of acid to obscure human remains is a tactic frequently associated with criminal activity, yet research on its effects on human dentition remains inconsistent. Dental tissues, among the body's most durable components, play a vital role in forensic identification. However, existing studies on acid dissolution of dentition often lack standardized methods, resulting in findings that are difficult to reproduce or generalize. This study addresses these gaps by examining the effects of hydrochloric acid (HCl) on permanent maxillary molars under controlled conditions, using a replicable methodology that incorporates experimental controls and evaluates the impact of handling techniques such as removal, rinsing, and drying. Five permanent maxillary molar samples were submerged in HCl (37 %) under varied handling conditions. Findings reveal that undisturbed samples dissolved more slowly than those subjected to periodic removal and rinsing, which accelerated dissolution rates by over 100 %. This highlights the significant influence of handling techniques on experimental outcomes. The study also identifies inconsistent reporting and the absence of standardized protocols in prior research as critical barriers to reproducibility. By providing a clear and replicable framework, this study advances understanding of the dissolution process and emphasizes the importance of methodological rigor in forensic science. These findings have broader implications for improving the reliability of forensic evidence and ensuring its applicability in criminal investigations. Addressing these issues is essential for enhancing public trust in forensic methods and strengthening their role in the justice system. •Clear, replicable research is critical to maintaining credibility in forensic applications.•Variability in dentition studies reveals critical gaps in forensic science's methodological rigor.•Introducing controls in forensic research can significantly improve the accuracy of findings.•It found that handling methods, like periodic rinsing, accelerate tooth dissolution compared to undisturbed conditions.•This study explores how hydrochloric acid affects human molars using a controlled, replicable approach.

Age estimation provides information for biological profile, which is used as an important data during the process of to aid in the identification of bodies of deceased persons. Lamendin et al. proposed a simplified dental age estimation technique for adults based on the analysis of periodontal recession height, root height, and root translucency height. These characteristics were used to build a multi-population database that served in the development of a Bayesian model, known as the Forensic International Dental Database (FIDB). However, before this research, this model did not incorporate dental information from the Brazilian population. The aim of this article was to validate the application of the FIDB Bayesian statistical model for estimating dental age in samples from the Brazilian population and compare it to Lamendin's technique. A cross-sectional study was conducted using 230 dental elements extracted for therapeutic reasons and stored in a biobank. Two independent and calibrated examiners collected the data, considering the randomization of dental samples. Intra- and inter-examiner reliability analysis included the re-evaluation of 20 % (n = 40) of the sample. For statistical analyses, the data were organized in Microsoft© Excel© 365 version 2204 (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, USA) spreadsheets, and R version 4.0.2 (R Foundation, Vienna, Austria) and IBM® SPSS® version 23.0 (SPSS Inc., IBM, Chicago, IL, USA) software were used. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final sample comprised 200 intact dental elements from 84 male and 116 female individuals. According to the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the data did not show a normal distribution, and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient indicated that intra- and inter-examiner agreements were adequate. Through the Mann-Whitney U test, statistically significant differences between sexes were not observed. In terms of overall accuracy, the Bayesian model and the original Lamendin´s technique showed a mean absolute error of 9.39 years and 9.95, respectively. Regarding bias, it was generally 0.15 years for the Bayesian model and 5.62 years for the original Lamendin´s technique. The Wilcoxon classification test revealed no statistically significant difference between chronological and estimated ages, but only for the Bayesian model. It can be concluded that the developed Bayesian statistical model was able to estimate the age of Brazilian adults satisfactorily, and overall, the error rates were acceptable. •The Forensic International Dental Database adds information from Brazil.•The Bayesian model was effective for age estimation in the Brazilian population.•The overall mean absolute error and bias were 9.39 and 0.15 years, respectively.•There were no statistically significant differences between the sexes.

While clinical dentistry has seamlessly integrated the digital revolution, there is a gap in the technological capabilities of forensic dentistry.The study aimed to compare the superimposition accuracy of two different three-dimensional record formats, namely the intraoral scanner and cone beam computer tomography, in the context of forensic identification.The sample consisted of randomly selected adults (n=10) of both sexes aged between 20 and 50 years. Following the acquisition of data using the Medit i700 wireless scanner and the iCAT Tomograph with InVivo software, the records were analysed and compared through superimposition using Medit Scan Clinic software to assess the technical precision of anatomical identification details.The results obtained through the superimposition of dental and bone records following intra- and inter-observer analysis enabled an accurate comparison and identification of an individual. This method can differentiate between positive and negative matches, achieving exclusion results and offering a potential solution to overcoming the absence of a standardisation procedure in human identification.

Rugoscopy is a recognized method for human identification. Its reliability, however, may be compromised when general dentists with limited forensic training perform identification. Evaluating the role of future practitioners—dental students—is essential to address this competency gap. This study assessed the ability of dental students in recognizing and interpreting palatal rugae patterns for forensic identification. Fifty-four final-year dental students were evaluators. Forty maxillary casts (10 pre-orthodontic, 30 post-orthodontic) were used. All casts were duplicated and modified to retain only the palatal rugae area, with all teeth removed to prevent dental feature-based recognition. Participants matched each Set 1 cast to one in Set 2. The procedure was repeated after one week to determine test-retest reliability, assessed using prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK). The mean accuracy for rugoscopy-based identification was 83.06% (± 15.49%), with an average time of 1.37 (± 0.34) minutes per matching. Reliability ranged from substantial to almost perfect, showing agreement rates between 74.07% and 96.30%. This simulated exercise demonstrated that trained dental students could achieve good accuracy and reliability in identifying individuals based on palatal rugae patterns. Consequently, trained dental students may play a valuable supportive role in forensic identification tasks when specialized forensic odontologists are unavailable. Further research is recommended to establish standardized criteria to improve both accuracy and reliability.

Dental measurements have been proposed as parameters for stature estimation for at least 85 years. The scientific literature on the topic, however, is controversial regarding the performance of the method. This systematic literature review of observational cross-sectional studies aimed to compile evidence to support decisions in the forensic practice regarding the use of dental measurements for stature estimation. Embase, LILACS, MedLine (via PubMed), SciELO, Scopus, Web of Science, DansEasy and Open Access Thesis and Dissertations (OATD) were searched. Data regarding the rate of correct stature classifications were extracted. A meta-analysis with a Random Intercept Logistic Regression model and a Logit Transformation was conducted. The search led to 10.803 entries, out of which 15 were considered eligible (n = 1486 individuals). The studies were published between 1990 and 2020 and were authored by South American (n = 7) and Asian (n = 8) research teams. Dental measurements were predominantly (93.34 %) performed on dental casts or via intraoral inspection. The overall rate of correct classifications based on stature was 68 %. Excluding outliers, the overall accuracy of the method decreased to 64 % (95 %CI: 54–73 %). Significant heterogeneity was detected (I² = 72.4 %, τ2 = 0.24, H = 1.91, p < 0.001). Egger's test (p = 0.94) and the funnel plot did not reveal publication bias. Dental measurements are not reliable for stature estimation in the forensic field. •The search found 10.803 entries out of eight databases.•Fifteen studies were eligible, combining 1486 individuals.•The overall rate of correct stature classifications was 64 % (95 %CI: 54–73 %).•High heterogeneity was detected (I² = 72.4 %, τ2 = 0.24, H = 1.91, p < 0.001).•Egger's test (p = 0.94) and the funnel plot did not reveal publication bias.

For many people, being a parent of five children is more than enough to keep oneself occupied. Mitzi Coyle (Macey-Dare) did that, and gained a top post in the community dental service, with a string of dental and other postgraduate qualifications. Her children are equally talented. Key points It is important to remember that possession of many degrees and diplomas doesn't always lead to a senior academic post; there are other equally rewarding posts. Being a mother is no bar to gaining qualifications and promotion in dentistry. However much professional status is attained, meeting the needs of the family is also important. To balance the needs of the family and the obligations of a professional life can be very challenging but is possible.

The proportion of teeth restored with tooth-colored composite restorations increased significantly in recent decades. Owing to improvements in their composition and processing technique, they visually appear almost indistinguishable from native tooth structure. This poses a challenge when establishing and comparing the postmortem dental status in order to identify an unknown body. This study investigated two different wavelength ranges using hyperspectral imaging and near-infrared-spectroscopy. 78 extracted teeth were restored with single and multi surface dental resin restorations. Nine different composites from seven different manufacturers were included. Hyperspectral imaging (400 nm – 1000 nm) and near-infrared spectroscopy (1550 nm – 1950 nm) were compared for their usability. The recorded spectra were evaluated via graphical plots, statistical comparison and by the use of a classification model. Dental composite and enamel are defined by different spectral characteristics above the range of visible light. Wavelength between 1550 nm and 1950 nm revealed a clear difference over the entire range. Statistically significant differences were found for the range of 1750 nm to 1800 nm (α= 0.01, p = 1.588e−14). In 400 nm to 1000 nm, a clear optical differentiation was not possible. For both ranges, the classification model achieved an accuracy of 84 % (400–1000 nm, HSI) and 99.8 % (1550–1950 nm, NIS) for the correct labeling of enamel and composite. The two wavelength ranges connected to portable NIS and HSI devices differ in the accuracy with which native tooth structure and restorative material can be distinguished. The NIR-range, tested through NIS allows reliable detection of tooth colored restorations. •composite and teeth show different spectral characterization between 1550 nm – 1950 nm.•optical analysis provides reliable, non-contact and examiner independent results.•NIS provides a valuable addition to current forensic workflow for pm dental status.•classification algorithms increase accuracy of pm dental records.

Intraoral scanning of the palate is considered reliable for human identification; however, its accuracy on postmortem tissue remains dubious. This study aimed to investigate the effect of tissue decomposition on the precision of the intraoral scanner and the deviation of the scan. Ten fresh lamb (Ovies aries) maxillae were either unwashed or washed, selected, and stored at 20.5 °C and 80 % humidity for 20 days. Each palate was scanned three times a day with an Emerald S intraoral scanner. The anterior rugae area was cropped for analysis. The three scans of each day for each lamb were digitally aligned using the iterative closest point algorithm to ensure precision. The day one mesh was compared to each subsequent day to assess the postmortem scan deterioration, and a quadratic curve was fitted to the data. The mesh from different lambs was compared on day one to calculate the differences between the lambs. The length, location, and value of the largest curvatures of five randomly chosen rugae on each specimen were determined. A supervised machine learning procedure using linear discriminant classification assessed the specificity and sensitivity of singular ruga discrimination. Precision was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the unwashed group (0.025 mm) compared to the washed group (0.013 mm), but the postmortem days had no effect. The deviation curve for the unwashed samples had a significantly higher quadratic term (p < 0.05) compared to the washed sample, indicating a slightly greater deterioration after day 11. The least difference between lambs was 0.484 mm. The deterioration curves crossed the minimum value on day 6 in both groups. The sensitivity of rugae detection was 0.89 on day one and decreased to 0.69 on day 20; the specificity ranged from 0.59 to 0.66. Intraoral scanning is an accurate approach for postmortem palatal imaging. Superimposition of the anterior palatal scan can accurately distinguish between lambs for up to six days. Nevertheless, deteriorated rugae can still be distinguished with moderate accuracy for up to 20 days. •Intraoral scanners are reliable for imaging deteriorated palatal tissue.•Digital superimposition can discriminate lamb palates up to five days postmortem.•Rugae length and curvature provide moderate discrimination for up to 20 days postmortem.

The classification of intraoral teeth structures is a critical component in modern dental analysis and forensic dentistry. Traditional methods, relying on 2D imaging, often suffer from limitations in accuracy and comprehensiveness due to the complex three-dimensional (3D) nature of dental anatomy. Although 3D imaging introduces the third dimension, offering a more comprehensive view, it also introduces additional challenges due to the irregular nature of the data. Our proposed approach addresses these issues with a novel method that extracts critical representative features from 3D tooth models and transforms them into a 2D image format suitable for detailed analysis. The 2D images are subsequently processed using a recurrent neural network (RNN) architecture, which effectively detects complex patterns essential for accurate classification, while its capability to manage sequential data is further augmented by fully connected layers specifically designed for this purpose. This innovative approach improves accuracy and diagnostic efficiency by reducing manual analysis and speeding up processing time, overcoming the challenges of 3D data irregularity and leveraging its detailed representation, thereby setting a new standard in dental identification.