This journal club presentation discusses the contribution of prosthodontics to the field of forensic odentology. It summarizes various methods used by prosthodontists to identify unknown remains or bite marks, including engraving dental records onto prosthetics using techniques like laser etching, microchips, or barcodes. It also examines how prosthodontists can aid in determining factors like age, gender, through analysis of dental structures and radiographs. Studies on identifying individuals through palatal rugae patterns, lip prints, and bite mark analysis are also reviewed.

1. JOURNAL CLUB PRESENTATION 1

2. CONTRIBUTION OF A
PROSTHODONTICS IN THE FIELD
OF FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY
JOURNAL CLUB PRESENTED BY-
DR. NIKHIL N. PAWAR
(MDS) ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL PROSTHODONTIST
REVIEW ARTICLE
International Journal Of Prosthodontics And Restorative Dentistry
Apirl- June 2014;(2):56-59
2

3. CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. MAIN ARTICLE
 INTRODUCTION
 DISCUSSION
 STUDIES FOR AGE ESTIMATON AND SEX-
DETERMINATION
 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
3. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
4. REFERENCES 3

4. INTRODUCTION
Forensic is derived from the latin word ‘forum’ which means-
‘court of law’
A branch of forensic medicine dealing with teeth and marks
left by teeth (as in identifying criminal suspects or the remains
of a dead person)
What Is Forensic Odontology..?
4

5. • Odontology → study of teeth. Defined as that branch
of dentistry in which the interest of justice, deals with
the proper handling and examination of dental
evidence, and with the proper evaluation and
presentation of dental findings.
• Role of prosthodontist to identify and maintain dental
records is becoming increasingly important.
5

6. • Dental records and forensic odontology is in use to
identify victims.
• The earliest known example by dental means dates back
to 66 AD. It relies on sound knowledge of teeth and jaws,
possessed by dentist and incorporates dental anatomy,
histology, radiography, dental materials and
developmental anomalies.
• Keywords: Forensic, Rugoscopy, Lip prints, Bite marks.
6

7. Scope of forensic odontology
 Identifying unknown human remains through dental records &
cranio-facial bones.
 Recognition and analysis of bite marks found on victims.
 Analysis of oro-facial trauma associated with person abuse.
 Determinating of gender of an unidentified individual.
7

8. MAIN ARTICLE
INTRODUCTION-
• Elaborate dental records including radiographs and spare
crowns identified the body of Adolph Hitler, the most high-
profile case of dental identification.
• Saddam Hussein’s capture was verified using DNA sample
from saliva.
• The role of forensic odontologist and prosthodontist in dealing
various autopsy cases is becoming indispensable day by day.
1 2
8

9. The Role Of Prosthodontics In Forensic
Odontology:
 Study of rugae patterns — rugoscopy
 New ways of engraving records into prosthesis
 Impression making and models of bite marks
 Lip print recording and identification.
9

10. DISCUSSION
FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY CONTRIBUTES INTO
FORENSICS IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:
A) BY ENGRAVING RECORDS IN PROSTHESIS
1. Surface Methods
2. Inclusion Methods
 ID band:
 Laser etching
 T Bar:
 Electronic Microchips
10

11.  Lenticular System
 RFID Tags
 Photographs
 Bar Codes
B) Chelioscopy
C)Rugoscopy:
D)Bite Mark Analysis
E)Sex Determination from Pulpal Tissue
F)DNA in Forensic Odontology
11

12. STUDIES FOR AGE ESTIMATION AND
SEX DETERMINATION
 Mandibular Canine Index as a Sex Determinant
 Cementum Annulations for Age Estimation
 Enamel Rod End Patterns
 Dentin Translucency
 Panoramic Radiography
 Third Molar for Age Estimation
12

13. BY ENGRAVING RECORDS IN PROSTHESIS
• Labeled dentures can be important in identifying the owners in case
of an accident, loss of memory, state of unconsciousness,
& misplaced.
13

14. It is of two types as follows:
1. Surface Methods:
• Writing, scribing on tissue fitting surface or the
polished surface with fiber-tipped pen, embossing
initials of the patient in master cast with burs.
• Engraving records on surface can cause food debris
accumulation and infectons.
14

15. Surface Methods
15

16. 2. Inclusion Methods:
Paper strips: An inexpensive way is utilizing a piece
of onion skin paper. The strip of scribed paper is
placed between the ridge and center of the palate of
the fitting surface of the denture is covered with resin
before final closure of denture flask.
16

17. Inclusion Methods
17

18. ID band:
• Dentures may be marked with stainless steel band.
The most commonly used fire-resistant materials are
titanium foil and HO matrix band containing an
identifiable coding system reprinting patient details.
18

19. Laser etching:
• Copper vapor laser can etch patient identification in
metal surface of partial dentures.
19

20. T Bar:
• A T-Shaped clear PMMA resin bar is constructed by cutting
baseplate wax and then is flasked, packed, processed and
finished in clear or pink PMMA. An identification printed
label against the flat surface of the bar is fixed. It is then
surface-polished to produce a clear window displaying the ID
label
20

21. T Bar
21

22. T -Bar labelled denture
22

23. Electronic Microchips:
• Patient information was etched onto a chip measuring 5 × 5 ×
0.6 mm. It is bonded with acrylic resin. Further advancement
includes specialized equipment to transfer details to computer.
Its disadvantage is that it can be inscribed only by
manufacturer and not by the dentist.
23

24. Electronic Microchips
24

25. Lenticular System:
• Lenticular lens is used to produce images with an illusion of
depth, morph or the ability to change or move as the image is
viewed from different angles. Information once written cannot
be changed, may not withstand fire.
25

26. Lenticular System
26

27. RFID Tags:
• A radiofrequency identification tag is a cosmetic,
effective labeling method permitting rapid and
reliable identification by the wearer size — 8.5 × 2.2
mm. Large amount of denture usage data can be
stored in them.
27

28. RFID Tags…
28

29. RFID HOW IT WORKS…
29

30. RFID HOW IT WORKS…
30

31. Photographs:
• Patient photograph is embedded to clear acrylic
denture base. Useful in countries having low literacy
rate. It was resistant only upto 200 to 300°C.
31

32. Photographs
32

33. Bar Codes:
• Similar to bar coding of various other consumer
goods. The bar code that is resistant to high
termperatures is incorporated into a denture and
sealed with heat cure acrylic resin.
33

34. Bar Codes
34

35. Chelioscopy:
• In 1932, Edmond Locard, one of France criminologists
recommended the use of lip prints in personal identification and
criminalization.
• The external surface of lips has many elevations and depressions
forming a characteristic pattern called lip prints, examination of
which is known as chelioscopy. The use of lip prints in personal
identification and criminalization.
35
International Journal Of Prosthodontics And Restorative Dentistry
Apirl- June 2014;(2):56-59

36. Chelioscopy
36

37. The methods to obtain lip prints are of two types:
1. Direct method
2. Indirect method
•Snyder reported in his book homicide investigation that
the characteristics of the lips formed by lip grooves are as
individually distinctive as the ridge characteristics of finger
prints.
37

38. Rugoscopy:
• It is the study of palatal rugae — Caklas and Shetty,
et al had reported palatal rugae were first described
by Winslow in 1753.
• Palatal rugae are irregular, asymmetric ridges of the
mucous membrane extending laterally from incisive
papilla and the anterior part of the median palatal
raphe.
38

39. Rugoscopy
39

40. • Rugoscopy finds application in the field of
anthropology, comparative anatomy, genetics,
forensic odontology, prosthodontics and orthodontics
• To study of rugae, impression of maxillary arch is
made. Impression is poured with dental stone.
Rugoscopy may not be so useful in crime scene
investigation but very useful in necro-identification
technique, especially in aeronautical accidents.
40

41. Bite Mark Analysis
• Bite marks can be in two- or three-dimensional
evidence. Two-dimensional evidence like pictures
have angular distortion. Some tools within Photoshop
can be used to detect and correct for certain angular
distortions.
41

42. DNA in Forensic Odontology
• The highly variable regions of DNA have unique patterns for
each individual. Several biological materials may be employed
for isolation of DNA and accomplishment of laboratory tests
for human identification, including teeth, bone tissue, hair
bulb, biopsy sample, saliva, blood and other body tissues.
42

43. DNA in Forensic Odontology
43

44. Sex Determination from Pulpal Tissue
• The sex determination from pulpal tissue is based on the
presence or absence of X-chromosome.
44

45. STUDIES FOR AGE ESTIMATION AND
SEX DETERMINATION
Mandibular Canine Index as a Sex Determinant:
• The method comprises of evaluating dental casts in the age
group of 14-20 years.
Boaz, et al revealed that the mean values of the buccolingual
and mesiodistal dimensions of the mandibular left canine
were greater in females than in males and the mean values of
the mesiodistal dimensions of the mandibular right canine in
females were greater than that in males.
45

46. Mandibular Canine Index as a Sex Determinant
46

47. Cementum Annulations for Age Estimation
Number of incremental lines (n) = X/Y
By adding average age of eruption in years for each tooth as presented
in Gray’s Anatomy, the counted number of incremental lines, the
chronological age of the individual was obtained.
 E = n + t
where estimated age = number of incremental lines (n) + eruption
age of tooth (t).
47
International Journal Of Prosthodontics And Restorative Dentistry
Apirl- June 2014;(2):56-59

48. Enamel Rod End Patterns
The term ‘ameloglyphics’
(‘amelo’ meaning ‘enamel’; ‘glyphics’ meaning ‘carvings’)
has been used for the study of enamel rod patterns on tooth surface.
These enamal rod end patterns can be duplicated by various methods
like acetate peel technique, rubber base impression, etc.
The age-related changes in the dentition can be divided into three
categories : formative, degenerative and histological.
48
International Journal Of Prosthodontics And Restorative Dentistry
Apirl- June 2014;(2):56-59

49. Enamel Rod End Patterns
49

50. Dentin Translucency:
• Dentinal translucency is considered best for dental age
estimation.
50

51. Panoramic Radiography:
• Panoramic radiographs are also helpful to determine
the age of the individual by assessing the stage of eruption.
• The size of dental pulp cavity is reduced as a result of
secondary dentin deposit.
51

52. Panoramic Radiography
52

53. Third Molar for Age Estimation
The eruption stages were evaluated using the classification
of stages by Olze, et al as:
Stage A: Occlusal plane covered with alveolar bone.
Stage B: Alveolar eruption; complete resorption of alveolar bone over
occlusal plane.
Stage C: Gingival emergence; penetration of gingiva by at least one dental
cusp.
Stage D: Complete emergence in occlusal plane.
53
International Journal Of Prosthodontics And Restorative Dentistry
Apirl- June 2014;(2):56-59

54. CLASSIFICATION
OF STAGES BY OLZE, ET AL AS:
54
International Journal Of Prosthodontics And Restorative Dentistry
Apirl- June 2014;(2):56-59

55. Review of literature
55

56. Carlos Madrid, Tove Korsvold, Aline Rochat and Marcelo
Abarca (2012)Radio frequency identification (RFID) of dentures
in long-term care facilities
• The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of using
radiofrequency identification (RFID) in the identification of dentures
RFID appears to be a reliable method of tracking and identifying
dentures, with only 1 of 65 devices being unreadable at 3 months
and100% of 50 initially placed tags being readable at the end of the
trial.
56
Radio frequency identification (RFID) of dentures in long-term care facilities (J Prosthet
Dent 2012;107:199-202)

57. At the 3-month assessment of 34 residents (63 tags) 1 tag was
unreadable and 62 tags (98.2%) were operational.
57
Radio frequency identification (RFID) of dentures in long-term care facilities (J Prosthet
Dent 2012;107:199-202)

58. Larry D. Ryan, John B. Keller, Donald E. Rogers, and Lee
Schaeffer (1993) Clear acrylic resin T-bar used in denture
Identification.
• T-shaped, clear acrylic resin bar can be utilized as a vehicle for
identification of an existing removable dental prosthesis.
• A printed label attached to the T-bar makes a convenient vehicle for
embedding the label in the prosthesis with lightcured acrylic resin.
• T-shaped bar as a vehicle to insert an identification label in an
existing removable dental prosthesis. It also provides an exceptionally
clear view of the embedded label.
58
Clear acrylic resin T-bar used in denture Identification
(J PROSTHETDENT 1993;70:1&39-90.)

59. T Bar
59
Clear acrylic resin T-bar used in denture Identification
(J PROSTHETDENT 1993;70:1&39-90.)

60. Karen Christine dos Santos, Clemente Maia S. Fernandes, Mônica da
Costa Serra (2011) Evaluation of a digital methodology for human
identification using palatal rugoscopy.
• Aim: This study evaluated a digital method for human identification
using palatoscopy, by comparing photographs of the palate against
the images of cast models of the maxilla photographed with and
without highlighting of the palatal rugae.
Condensation silicone impressions were made from the upper arches
of 30 adult subjects of both genders and their palates were then
photographed.
60
Evaluation of a digital methodology for human identification using palatal rugoscopy(Braz J
Oral Sci. July | September 2011 - Volume 10, Number 3)

61. • The result of overlapping the digital photographs with the images of
the models without highlighted palatal rugae resulted in 90%
positive identification. For the overlapping of the digital
photographs with the images of models with highlighted palatal
rugae, there was 100% positive identification. Conclusions: The
digital method evaluated in this study was proven effective for
human identification.
61
Evaluation of a digital methodology for human identification using palatal rugoscopy(Braz J
Oral Sci. July | September 2011 - Volume 10, Number 3)

62. R.K. Gorea O.P. Jasuja Abdulwahab Ali Abuderman( 2013 )
Bite marks on skin and clay: A comparative Analysis.
• Bite marks are often observed at the crime scene in sexual and in
physical assault cases on the skin of the victims.
• Bite marks are often observed at crime scenes on various parts of the
human body.
• Bite marks are lifted using various photography techniques and other
materials.
• It shows statistics of different grades of identification by four different
methods of comparison in maxillary bite mark impressions and
mandibular bite mark impressions.
62journal of oral biology and craniofacial research ( 2 0 1 3 ) 8 8 e-9 1

63. • Dental casts of the volunteers were prepared after taking impressions
with alginate powder and subsequently using dental stone powder.
From these dental casts, handdrawn transparencies were prepared
along with photocopied and scanned transparencies.
• These transparencies were superimposed on life-sized photographs,
compared and analysed. Casts were also directly matched to determine
the usefulness of comparison by this method.
63
journal of oral biology and craniofacial research ( 2 0 1 3 ) 8 8 e-9 1

64. • Comparative success rates vary depending on the substrate on
which bite marks are present. The average rate of successful
comparison on clay by all of the methods was 93.34%, whereas
on, skin it was 44.01%.
64journal of oral biology and craniofacial research ( 2 0 1 3 ) 8 8 e-9 1

65. Critical analysis
• This article does not consist of a specific procedure that is the
insertion of memory card in the denture which stores
informations and patient details including photographs that
cloud be very useful for the purpose of forensic odontology.
65

66. Summary and Conclusions
• The contribution of a forensic odontologist in medicolegal
proceedings cannot be overstressed. In spite of having pro-
gressed by leaps and bounds through various techniques in the
identification of accident victims and in investigative
criminology.
• Humanitarian aims pursued by volunteering dentists during
mass disasters should be refrained to assure quality work and
high forensic standards.
66

67. • Guidelines and international principles and codes are needed
especially when working in an international area. This would allow
disaster victim identification (DVI) teams from different
nationalities to work in a synergic and universal way.
67

68. REFERENCES
• International Journal Of Prosthodontics And Restorative Dentistry
Apirl- June 2014;(2):56-59
• Carlos Madrid, Tove Korsvold, Aline Rochat and Marcelo Abarca
(2012)Radio frequency identification (RFID) of dentures
in long-term care facilities.
• Larry D. Ryan, John B. Keller,b Donald E. Rogers,b and Lee
Schaeffer (1993) Clear acrylic resin T-bar used in denture
Identification.
68

69. REFERENCES
• R.K. Gorea a, O.P. Jasuja b, Abdulwahab Ali Abuderman
( 2013 ) Bite marks on skin and clay: A comparative Analysis.
• British Dental Journal Volume 210 No. 8 Apr 23 2011
• Journal Of Dental Technology November 2013
• Journal Of Forensic Sciences September 2006, Vol. 51, No. 5
Doi:10.1111/J.1556-4029.2006.00238.X
• Karen Christine dos Santos, Clemente Maia S. Fernandes,
Mônica da Costa Serra (2011) Evaluation of a digital
methodology for human identification using palatal rugoscopy.
69

70. 70