Indian Journal of Forensic Odontology

 Human face is most valuable tool for detecting and recognizing. It is also important in understanding of digital photographs. Facial reconstruction is one of the techniques available to recognize a face which is mutilated and helpful in the identification of forensic remains. In this paper, we present a facial reconstruction approach that ûts an anatomy-based virtual head model, incorporating skin and muscles, to a scanned skull using statistical data on skull/tissue relationships. 

Keywords: 3D reconstruction; Facial asymmetry; Classical methods.

 Identification of a Human Being is an extremely important process based on scientiûc principles, which mainly in the present scenario involves ûnger printing. The main point used in the analysis of ûnger prints is the accepted theoretical knowledge of its Uniqueness in each individual that can be used as a piece of evidence in the court of law. Similarly, research in the recent years has proved that even the lip prints are unique of an individual and hence apart from the conventional methods like finger printing, they also behold the potential for identiûcation purpose. Thus, lip prints can be used to verify the presence or absence of a person at the scene of crime. According to the recent literature available, there have been numerous number of cases that have been solved by means of Chelioscopy. Aims: To assess the Uniqueness of Lip Prints in different individuals. Methods and Materials: Dark shaded lip stick, Cellophane tape, White paper, Scissors, Magnifying lens, sanitarytissues. In this study a total of 100 subjects having no deformity or scarring of the Lips were selected. These subjects were asked to give their impressions of their lips with two different shades of lipstick. These two hundred impressions were then randomly shuffled and given to three different observers who were asked to match these Lip Prints. Result: After assessment of the lip prints Quadrant wise, two of the observers were able to correctly match 80% of the Lip Prints and one was able to correctly match 88% of the two set of Lip Prints. Conclusion: A high percentage of correctness indicates that the Lip Prints are quite Unique of each Individual. 

Keywords: Cheiloscopy; Lip prints; Forensic dentistry; Anthropometry. 

 Age estimation is a process of particular interest in cases of forensic interest as well as in anthropological studies. In order to obtain a more reliable and reproducible age estimation, the forensic odontologist should use available methods whenever age estimation in the living or dead is required. Various studies have been conducted in the past involving ground sections of teeth. Thus, a study was carried out to evaluate physiological changes in the teeth with the advancing age along with correlation of clinical, radiological and histological factors. 

Keywords: Age estimation; Forensic; Clinical; Radiological; Histological.

 Aim: This study was undertaken to compare and analyze the significance of dermatoglyphics in predicting the susceptibility to develop dental caries in sikh and nonsikh population. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on the total of 400 subjects, 200 sikh and 200 nonsikh in the age group between 5-13 years and children with dental caries in 3 or more teeth based on the df and DMFT index were included in the study. The fingerprints were taken using stamp pad and Statistical analysis was performed. Results: 1.On calculation of caries index nonsikh population were more susceptible to develop caries. 2. predominant finger print pattern was loop in sikh population whereas it was whorl in nonsikh population. 3. Dental caries susceptibility of an individual increases with an increase in the incidence of whorl pattern. Conclusion: There was an increased frequency of the whorls in nonsikh population having caries. 

Keywords: Dermatoglyphics; Fingerprint pattern; Dental caries; Genetics.