Indian Journal of Forensic Odontology

Human identification is currently one of the most outstanding areas of Forensic Sciences. Forensic anthropology is a branch of the Forensic Sciences concerned with the application of general anthropological knowledge and methods to the process of law. Postmortem human identification is one of the major areas of study and research in Legal Medicine and Forensic Dentistry and both sciences work with the same type material and the human body in several conditions.

Keywords: Dental identification, Genomic DNA , dental records.

Age is one of the essential factors in the identity of the person. Estimation of the human age is the procedure adopted by anthropologists, archeologists and forensic scientists. Different factor have been used for age estimation but none has withstood the test of time for adults above 25 years. Many variables have been used as age determinants and even dental histological techniques can contribute to age determination. The choice to use teeth for age determination is well accepted due to their longevity, ability of being resilient to change. According to Gustafson’s measurement of root dentin transparency is the most reliable criteria for age estimation. Further, Johanson found that translucency was best correlated to age when used alone. The purpose of this article is to discuss not only the various factors affect translucency but also the different studies done on root translucency with the relation of age estimation.

Keywords: Root translucency, Age estimation, Forensic Odontology.

Age is one of the essential factors in the identity of the person. Estimation of the human age is the procedure adopted by anthropologists, archeologists and forensic scientists. Different factor have been used for age estimation but none has withstood the test of time for adults above 25 years. Many variables have been used as age determinants and even dental histological techniques can contribute to age determination. The choice to use teeth for age determination is well accepted due to their longevity, ability of being resilient to change. According to Gustafson’s measurement of root dentin transparency is the most reliable criteria for age estimation. Further, Johanson found that translucency was best correlated to age when used alone. The purpose of this article is to discuss not only the various factors affect translucency but also the different studies done on root translucency with the relation of age estimation.

Keywords: Root translucency, Age estimation, Forensic Odontolog.

Multifactorial etiology works as a processing unit in the causation of dental caries in mineralized portions of human teeth. In the present review, one important parameter is considered, the genetic component, dermatoglyphics.The epidermal ridges of the fingers and palms as well as the facial structures like the lip, alveolus, teeth and palate are formed from the same embryonic tissues (ectoderm) during the same embryonic period (6-9 weeks). Thus, the genetic and environmental factors which are responsible for causing dental caries may also cause peculiarities in the dermatoglyphic patterns.

Keywords: Dermatoglyphics, dermal ridges, dental caries.