Comparing dental identifier charting in cone beam computed tomography scans and panoramic radiographs using INTERPOL coding for human identification

Abstract

According to INTERPOL, the comparison of antemortem and postmortem dental identifiers is a scientifically reliable approach for human identification. This study aimed to quantify the prevalence of corresponding INTERPOL coded dental identifiers in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and panoramic radiographs (PR).The sample consisted of 100 CBCT scans and 100 PR taken the same day from the same patients (35 males and 65 females). Randomly and independently, forty-one INTERPOL coded dental identifiers were searched in each image. Wilcoxon test compared the prevalence of codes in CBCT scans and PR, Chi-square tested the dependence between codes and teeth; and multiple correspondence analyses (MCA) explored the association between codes and teeth in color maps for CBCT scans and PR. No statistically significant differences between the prevalence of identifiers in CBCT scans and PR were detected (p=0.693). In CBCT scans and PR, dependence between teeth and codes was detected (p<0.05). In the study sample, the strongest associations were found between the codes unerupted (UNE), partially erupted (ERU) and impacted (IMV) and third molars, both in CBCT scans and PR. INTERPOL coded dental identifiers registered on CBCT scans and PR can be exchanged during human identification.

When a single central incisor makes the difference for human identification – a case report

“…This code is especially important in practice because it can exclude single or multiple victims with teeth missing AMas it creates unexplainable discrepancies with teeth present PM. Present teeth, clustered within morphological Research, Society andDevelopment, v. 10, n. 1, e24210111010, 2021 (CC BY 4.0) | ISSN 2525-3409 | DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i1.11010 identifiers, were registered in the present case with other morphological identifiers namely the developing unerupted and impacted third molars (Franco et al, 2019). These teeth contributed each not only as identifiers but also as parameters for dental age estimation.…”

“…The first, second and third categories are properly exemplified by peg-laterals, root canal fillings and periapical cysts, respectively. Dozens of other identifiers are known and categorized in practice (Franco et al, 2013;Franco et al, 2019). The combination of identifiers creates dental patterns that may be very distinctive, which makes forensic dentistry a reliable and scientifically acceptable method for human identification (Franco et al, 2019).…”

Uso de acervos de imagens em pesquisas na Odontologia Legal: reflexões éticas, bioéticas e legais

“…The articles analyzed repeatedly stated that the participants were not exposed to any type of radiation, and that all exams were used for the primary diagnostic or therapeutic purpose 16 . In addition, some articles mentioned that patients or their guardians consented to the possibility that such exams could be used for research or educational purposes 25,26 .…”

“…Due to the importance that image examinations hold in the different fields of work of Forensic Dentistry, several studies that used image collections were carried out to test the applicability or even validate methods used internationally in the Brazilian population [12][13][14] . Image collections have also been used in research to adapt or improve tools related to human identification [15][16] , as well as the detection of frauds that can occur in radiographic examinations when these are requested for administrative purposes 17 .…”

Dental pattern diversity in a military population and its usefulness for assessing the degree of certainty in dental identification

“…According to the International Crime Police Organization (INTERPOL), the comparison of antemortem and postmortem dental identifiers constitutes a primary means of personal identification [3]. It has been accepted that a positive identification is established when comparisons disclose significant overlap and no unexplainable differences [4]. However, controversy persists regarding the results of qualitative or quantitative assessments of forensic examinations.…”