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Background: Forensic Odontology is a branch of Odontology which in the interest of justice deals with the proper handling and examination of dental evidence and with the proper evaluation and presentation of dental findings. Various applications of forensic dentistry include age estimation, bite mark analysis, ameloglyphics, rugoscopy, cheiloscopy, photographic study, genetic material analysis, and PCR for pulp DNA analysis. The aim of this study is to find out the utility of Hematoxylin and Toluidine blue stains in studying enamel rod end patterns of various dentitions in forensic odontology. Results: In our study, Mean and standard deviation value of Hematoxylin and Toluidine blue showed the surface score of 6.4±1.782 and 6.6±1.979 respectively. Both maxillary and mandibular Permanent central Incisors showed lowest scores when compared to remaining dentition included in the study. Conclusion: To conclude, Ameloglyphics patterns can be studied by staining the tooth. The Ameloglyphics pattern can be analyzed using hematoxylin and toluidine blue stains. Ameloglyphics patterns can be used as a valuable tool in personal identification when stained correctly, and they have a bright future in forensic dentistry.

Background: In forensic Odontology, the term ameloglyphics refers to the study of enamel rod end patterns. These enamel rod end patterns are specific and are different for each individual. Enamel is the hardest tissue and it is resistant to several environmental factors like fire, acid exposure and microbial decomposition. Aims: This study was done to evaluate various stains and staining methods in tooth prints under stereomicroscope. The purpose of the study is to find out the utility of several stains for studying the enamel rod end patterns in forensic Odontology. Methods: Twenty seven freshly extracted maxillary premolars were collected for the study from the Department of Oral & maxillofacial Surgery. All the teeth collected were irrespective of age to avoid the bias related to different enamel characteristics of deciduous teeth. Results: In our study, hematoxylin and toluidine blue showed the surface score of 7 out of 9 which was the highest when compared to remaining stains. On comparing 3 different staining methods using hematoxylin and toluidine blue stains in soak method showed superior score when compared to other two methods. Conclusions: To conclude, Ameloglyphics patterns can be studied by staining the tooth. Hematoxylin and toluidine blue stains can be used for studying the Ameloglyphics pattern. Soak method of staining the tooth can be done to study the pattern. Ameloglyphics patterns can play an important role in personal identification using staining methods and shows promising future in field of forensics.