Indian Journal of Forensic Odontology

 The objective of this short communication article was to highlight the role of orthodontic journals in evidencebased Orthodontics by a summary of literature retrieved from preliminary search of PubMed. There were seven studies on analyses of orthodontic journals found; on impact factor, contribution of evidence to Cochrane collaboration, quality of abstracts, compliance with declaration of Helsinki, quantity of clinical trials, quality of clinical trials, types of articles and authorship trends. The commonly analyzed orthodontic journals were American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Angle Orthodontist, European Journal of Orthodontics, British Journal of Orthodontics, Journal of Orthodontics, and Orthodontics and Craniofacial Research.

 Age estimation by means of closure of skull sutures is a very important tool to solve the cases of suspicion and identification of criminals. The cranial sutures generally fuse with increasing age although there is considerable variability in closure rates and patterns. These article insights different aspects of cranial sutures and their role in human identification. 

 This review is an effort to compile a set of basic guidelines to be practiced when dealing with MLCs. Medical records of patients must be preserved for a period of 3 years as per MCI Regulations. But the National Consumer Commission is suggesting that when legal problems are anticipated or in cases of medical mishaps, they must be preserved for a longer period. Those lawyers, who do not constantly deal with medical issues in their legal practice, know very little about the medical profession and its problems; physicians frequently comprehend too little about the law and how it affects them in the practice of their profession. Medico legal experts can provide a link between these two professions for their smooth & effective functioning in a scientific manner. 

 Forensic dentistry or forensic odontology is the proper handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidence, which will be then presented in the interest of justice. The evidence that may be derived from teeth is the age (in children) and identification of the person to whom the teeth belong. This review article describes significance of forensic dentistry in crime investigation.

 Forensic Odontology is a new science that utilizes dentist’s knowledge to serve the judicial system. Dentists qualified in forensic science are giving expert opinion in cases related to bitemark analysis, human identification, malpractice, and craniofacial trauma worldwide. Human identification relies heavily on the quality of dental records; however Forensic Odontologists can still contribute to investigation the identity in the absence of dental records through profiling the person using features related to the teeth. Along with other healthcare providers, dentists encounter nonaccidental cases of injuries. Detection, interpretation and management are important from a legal and human point of view. Dentists should be aware of the legal impact, and should refer them to the appropriate authorities for suitable action. This article gives an idea to Forensic Odontology and outlines some of its medicolegal applications. 

 The use of biological evidence for identification of an individual is relatively recent development. Dental identification has long been considered a reliable method when other methods fail because of critical body conditions or unavailability of body parts. Tooth pulp is encased in a hard tissue where it may be protected from detrimental effects of impact, trauma, and heat. Casperson et al was the first to develop a technique using pulpal tissue stained with quinacrine mustard, specific for Y chromosome to determine sex of an individual. This article describes the use of dental pulp in sex determination both antemortem and postmortem.

 Estimating the age of an individual is important to differentiate between adolescence and adulthood, because criminal laws are different for them. From dentist point of view, third molar is the only teeth which can differentiate these two age groups. Among the numerous methods of age estimation using third molars, assessment of mineralization and eruption status is the most commonly used method. Aim: To compare three radiographic methods of age estimation using the developmental stages of third molar. Material and Methods: 204 orthopantomographs were retrieved of known age and gender. Evaluation of the developmental stages of third molar was done by three different methods (Olze et al, Gleiser and Hunt and Demirjian et al). Statistical Analysis: Predictive equations were derived using linear regression analysis. The thus obtained R square values were then compared to assess the best predictive equation. Results: Estimation of age showed better association with respect to mandibular molars than maxillary molars. Gleiser and Hunt method was more accurate than Olze et al and Demirjian et al techniques. Conclusion: The better accuracy of Gleiser and Hunt method could be attributed to the greater subdivision (n=10) of developmental stages as compared to Olze (n=4) and Demirjian (n=8).   

 Introduction: Palatal rugoscopy is the name given to this study of palate rugae pattern. Palatal rugae are irregular, asymmetric ridges of mucous membrane extending laterally from the incisive papilla and the anterior part of palatal raphe and it remains unchanged during an individuals’ lifetime. Above all it has the potential to remain intact by virtue of their internal position when most other anatomical structures are destroyed and burned. This quality of this structure is considered to be unique and similar to finger prints and are advocated in personal identification. Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate difference in the palatal rugae patterns in males and females and to assess the more common predominant pattern. Material & Method: A total of 40 maxillary dental casts obtained from 20 males and 20 females student population of lucknow, were examined for the palatal rugae patterns by applying the classification proposed by Thomas & Kotze. Palatal rugae pattern were examined in both the sexes on right and left sides of the palate for the total number, length, shape, predominant direction and then results were statistically analysed. Result: According to the analysis total no of rugae in males higher than females. Statistical analysis showed higher mean value in males. No of primary rugae in females were 136 (71.72%) and in males 134 (69.07%).The incidence of curved rugae was more among the males than females. The incidence of straight rugae was more among the females than the males. The incidence of backwardly directed rugae was more among males compared to females. The incidence of perpendicular rugae was more among males compared to females. The present study showed significant difference in the number of rugae between the genders. Conclusion: It has been proved that rugae are unique to an individual and are sufficiently characteristic to distinguish between individuals but rugae pattern are complex and the shortcomings of palatoscopy are that proper identification during postmortem is impossible due to absence of antemortem reports.