TY - JOUR
T1 - When a single central incisor makes the difference for human identification – a case report
AU - Silva, Rhonan Ferreira
AU - Picoli, Fernando Fortes
AU - Rodrigues, Lívia Graziele
AU - Silva, Maria Alves Garcia Santos
AU - Felisari, Bárbara Forte
AU - Franco, Ademir
PY - 2021/1/10
Y1 - 2021/1/10
N2 - The analysis of dental features and patterns figures amongst the primary means for human identification established by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). Differently from fingerprint and genetic analyses, forensic dentistry does not necessarily require a minimum number of similarities between antemortem and postmortem data. In other words, human identification could be achieved from the analysis of a single distinctive tooth or even from a single dental identifier. This study aims to report a case of dental human identification of a charred body. Police investigations were carried out and narrowed the scenario towards a single victim. Fingerprints were destroyed by the fire, hence the relatives of the victim were requested to provide any antermotem dental data. A panoramic radiograph was provided. Developing third molars were visible as well as the endodontic treatment, post and core, and the nonmetallic crown of the maxillary right central incisor (tooth #11). Postmortem radiographs were taken from the cadaver and revealed the same therapeutic dental identifiers found in tooth #11. The observed similarities and the lack of discrepancies between antemortem and postmortem data converged to the positive identification of the victim. This study illustrated the importance of Forensic Dentistry for complex cases of human identification, such as those exposed to fire. Especial attention is driven to the possibility of safely achieving positive human identification with the contribution of a single distinctive tooth.
AB - The analysis of dental features and patterns figures amongst the primary means for human identification established by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). Differently from fingerprint and genetic analyses, forensic dentistry does not necessarily require a minimum number of similarities between antemortem and postmortem data. In other words, human identification could be achieved from the analysis of a single distinctive tooth or even from a single dental identifier. This study aims to report a case of dental human identification of a charred body. Police investigations were carried out and narrowed the scenario towards a single victim. Fingerprints were destroyed by the fire, hence the relatives of the victim were requested to provide any antermotem dental data. A panoramic radiograph was provided. Developing third molars were visible as well as the endodontic treatment, post and core, and the nonmetallic crown of the maxillary right central incisor (tooth #11). Postmortem radiographs were taken from the cadaver and revealed the same therapeutic dental identifiers found in tooth #11. The observed similarities and the lack of discrepancies between antemortem and postmortem data converged to the positive identification of the victim. This study illustrated the importance of Forensic Dentistry for complex cases of human identification, such as those exposed to fire. Especial attention is driven to the possibility of safely achieving positive human identification with the contribution of a single distinctive tooth.
KW - Forensic Dentistry
KW - Forensic Sciences
KW - Panoramic radiography
KW - Upper central incisor
U2 - 10.33448/rsd-v10i1.11010
DO - 10.33448/rsd-v10i1.11010
M3 - Article
VL - 10
JO - Research, Society and Development
JF - Research, Society and Development
IS - 1
M1 - e24210111010
ER -