Positive identification through comparative dental analysis in mass disaster: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Rizky Merdietio Boedi (Lead / Corresponding author), Nikolaos Angelakopoulos, Emilio Nuzzolese, Hemlata Pandey, Scheila Manica, Ademir Franco

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed to assess the probability of achieving positive identification through comparative dental analysis (CDA) and to determine the factors that influence its success rate in mass disaster scenarios.


Methods:
An electronic literature search was conducted across six databases for
observational studies that reported both the total number of mass disaster victims and the count of victims identified through CDA alone. A random-effect meta-analysis, using the proportion of victims identified with CDA as the effect size, was conducted alongside subgroup analyses based on the type of disaster (natural or non-natural), the disaster classification (open or closed), and the geographical region (i.e., Europe, Asia).


Results:
The search yielded 3133 entries, out of which 32 studies were deemed eligible. Most of the studies (96.8%) presented a low risk of bias. The meta-analysis revealed a mean weighted-proportion probability of 0.32, indicating that forensic odontology could identify about one-third of the victims in a mass disaster. The probability of comparative dental identification was three times higher in closed mass disasters compared to open disasters (p < 0.05) and was higher in mass disasters occurring in North America and Europe compared to other regions (p < 0.05).


Conclusion:
The current result suggested that CDA can identify approximately 32% of a victim in a hypothetical scenario, emphasizing the integral role of teeth and forensic odontology in victim identification framework.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages10
JournalForensic Science, Medicine and Pathology
Early online date19 Aug 2024
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 19 Aug 2024

Keywords

  • Disaster victim identification
  • Forensic Dentistry
  • Mass Disaster
  • Odontology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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