Indian Journal of Forensic Odontology

Aim: The primary aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive survey among various practitioners including law enforcement officers, medical professionals, and forensic experts (Police officers, Densities and Advocates) to evaluate their awareness, understanding, and application of forensic anthropology in real-world forensic investigations. Methodology: A total of 150 respondents had taken part in the survey with structured questionnaire. Three anonymous questionnaires were designed for this survey. Each questionnaire targeted a specific profession: police officers (PO)(50), Dentists (50) and Advocates (50). Result: Results showed that fresher and trainees are holding high knowledge about forensic anthropology than the experienced categories in all three types of practitioners. But when the comparison of three categories is done, then high knowledge about forensic anthropology is got from police officer among the other two categories. The reason of this may be, police officers directly/indirectly get involve in the task of forensic anthropology. It is possible they may not know the proper identification methods. But due to involvement of police officers in number of cases, they develop an experience by which police officers can recognise the body whether it is of a human or an animal or what will be its age. Conclusion: By the way of conclusion, it can be said, all the categories of practitioner need to be well coordinate in the systemized manner, Moreover, they also should arm with required knowledge related to these medico legal case.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into healthcare, including dentistry, with promising applications in diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient management. Paediatric dentistry presents unique challenges that may benefit from AI-driven solutions. Objective: This systematic review aims to evaluate the current applications, accuracy, and effectiveness of artificial intelligence in paediatric dentistry, and to identify existing limitations and future directions. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore for studies published, using keywords related to “artificial intelligence,” “machine learning,” and “paediatric dentistry.” Studies were screened and selected according to PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria encompassed peer-reviewed original research articles involving AI applications in children’s dental care. Data on study characteristics, AI techniques used, target dental conditions, performance metrics, and outcomes were extracted and synthesized. Results: A total of 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. AI applications in paediatric dentistry primarily focused on diagnostic imaging (e.g., caries detection, growth assessment), behaviour prediction, and treatment planning. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and other machine learning algorithms showed high accuracy in image-based diagnostics, with reported accuracies ranging from 87%-96%. However, heterogeneity in study design and small sample sizes limited the generalizability of findings. Conclusions: AI demonstrates considerable potential in improving diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making in paediatric dentistry. Nevertheless, further high-quality, standardized studies are needed to validate AI tools and ensure their safety, ethical integration into clinical practice.

Background: Sex estimation is vital in forensic identification. The nasopalatine canal (NPC), often preserved in skeletal remains and visible on CBCT, shows potential for sexual dimorphism, though population-specific data is scarce. This study evaluated NPC morphometrics for sex determination. Methodology: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 250 CBCT scans (125 males, 125 females) were analyzed. Standardized measurements of NPC length, upper (nasal) diameter, and lower (incisive) diameter were taken. Canal shape was classified. Statistical analysis included independent t-tests and chi-square tests. Results: Significant sexual dimorphism was found. Males had significantly greater NPC length (10.95±2.05 mm vs. 9.26±2.16 mm; p=0.001) and lower diameter (3.83±1.12 mm vs. 2.62±0.89 mm; p=0.001). Females had a slightly larger upper diameter (2.72±1.13 mm vs. 2.44±0.84 mm; p=0.027). The distribution of canal shapes showed no significant association with sex (χ²=0.75, p=0.861). Conclusion: NPC linear dimensions, particularly length and lower diameter, are sexually dimorphic and serve as reliable metrics for sex determination, whereas canal shape does not. The NPC is a valuable adjunctive tool in forensic profiling when traditional methods are not feasible.

Forensic identification plays a pivotal role in criminal investigations and mass disaster scenarios. Traditional methods, such as dental records, fingerprints, and DNA profiling using short tandem repeats (STRs), have limitations in cases involving degraded samples, partial remains, or the need for investigative leads like age estimation. This review explores the emerging potential of saliva as a noninvasive, information-rich biological fluid and DNA epigenetics as a transformative tool in forensic science. Saliva is easily collectible and contains a diverse array of biomarkers, including genomic DNA, proteins, microbes, and cell-free DNA. Concurrently, DNA methylation, a stable epigenetic mark, provides a novel layer of information beyond the genetic code. This narrative review synthesizes current literature on the application of salivary biomarkers for body fluid identification, sex determination, and recent advances in age estimation. It further delves into the principles of DNA methylation, highlighting its forensic utility for constructing epigenetic clocks to predict chronological age and for differentiating body fluids through tissue-specific methylation patterns. The integration of salivary analysis with epigenetic profiling presents a powerful, complementary approach to traditional forensics. Key findings indicate that while these methodologies show immense promise, challenges regarding standardization, validation, and the influence of confounding factors remain. Future research should focus on developing robust, portable assays and expanding reference databases to facilitate the routine adoption of these tools in forensic practice.