Indian Journal of Forensic Odontology

Background: Dental records serve as a primary identifier in Disaster Victim Identification (DVI), yet structured undergraduate training in forensic odontology remains limited in India. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured training module in improving dental charting and radiographic comparison skills among Indian undergraduate dental students. Materials and Methods: Sixty final-year dental students participated in a prospective interventional study involving pre-training assessment, structured didactic and simulation-based training, and post-training evaluation. Accuracy of dental charting and radiographic comparison, completion time, inter-observer agreement (Cohen’s kappa), and self-reported confidence were measured. Paired t-tests were applied for statistical analysis (p < 0.05). Results: Charting accuracy improved from 62.4% to 84.7%, and radiographic comparison accuracy increased from 58.3% to 81.9% (p < 0.001). Inter-observer agreement improved from moderate to substantial levels. Confidence scores increased significantly. Conclusion: Simulation-based DVI training significantly enhances technical competency and reliability among undergraduate dental students, supporting integration into dental curricula.

Background: Palatal rugoscopy is a reliable forensic tool for human identification due to the uniqueness and stability of palatal rugae. However, orthodontic treatment, especially involving palatal appliances, may alter rugae morphology, potentially affecting its accuracy in gender identification. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and diagnostic accuracy of palatal rugoscopy for sex determination in orthodontic patients. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 360 participants divided into three groups: non-orthodontic controls, orthodontic patients without palatal appliances, and those treated with palatal appliances. Rugae patterns were assessed using Lysell and Thomas & van Wyk classifications. Statistical analysis included ANOVA, chi-square test, ROC analysis, and logistic regression. Results: Significant sexual dimorphism was observed in controls, with higher rugae counts in females (p < 0.05). Diagnostic accuracy was highest in controls (86.7%, AUC = 0.91), reduced in orthodontic patients without appliances (74.2%), and lowest in those with palatal appliances (61.7%) (p < 0.001). Palatal appliances significantly reduced rugae count and increased asymmetry, affecting sex prediction. Conclusions: Orthodontic treatment, particularly with palatal appliances, compromises the reliability of rugoscopy for gender identification. Caution is advised when applying this method in forensic cases involving orthodontically treated individuals.