Identification of Unknown Body Using DNA Analysis and Dental Characteristics in Chest X-ray Photograph

Abstract

An unknown skeletonized body was identified by DNA analysis and dental information. The body had already been cremated when a candidate for the unknown body was proposed. Therefore, for DNA analysis we used teeth that had been kept for a long time after use for serological examination. We also used a chest X-ray photograph of the candidate and photographs of dentition, as well as dental X-ray photographs taken when the unknown body was found. Because DNA obtained from teeth was highly degraded, we amplified three PCR fragments to determine the 766 bp mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence including HV1 and HV2. Polymorphism of the ABO locus was also analyzed using small PCR fragments. Although the isolated DNA was contaminated, probably with DNA from a different individual, DNA polymorphisms of mtDNA and the ABO locus could be analyzed. We discuss the reliability of our conclusions from the point of view of the necessity of constructing an accurate mtDNA database. Although a dentist who had treated the teeth of the unknown body could not be found, a chest X-ray photograph for medical diagnosis was very useful in comparing dental characteristics, as it included an image of the frontal part of the lower jaw and upper teeth.

Palatal rugae as a tool for human identification

“…Some of these records may change over time without appropriate clinical update and sometimes the records are basically incomplete or nonexistent. [5,6] Under these circumstances, the palatal rugae, being unique to individuals and relatively stable in adult life has been proposed as a means for establishing identity similar to the fingerprinting method. [6,7] Despite the simplicity, reliability, and economic advantage; forensic rugoscopy is unexplored in Nigeria mostly because of poor planning and inadequate documentation; therefore, this study was conducted to assess the accuracy of rugoscopy as a tool for human identification and to determine factors which may limit accuracy.…”

Comparison of the Morphological Structures of the Human Calvarium and Turtle Shell

“…The field of forensic odontology involves personal identification of unknown corpses using oral characteristics, including dental treatment marks. It also involves a wide range of tasks such as sex and age estimation using skeletal remains and DNA typing, as well as estimation of time since death [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] . Most subjects are appraised using cranial bones, including the calvarium.…”

New Device for Collecting Intra-oral Findings of Unknown Body

“…Dental evidence plays a very important role in the identification of unknown bodies, and a lot of cases and new technologies have been reported in this field [1][2][3][4][5][6] . Information technology (IT) has developed remarkably in recent years, and is now being applied widely in many fields.…”