Indian Journal of Forensic Odontology

Forensic odontology has now gained momentum and acceptance globally in legal cases. Teeth being the hardest structure in the human body, serve as a unique identifying feature of each individual. With increasing demand, a general dental practitioner should also be well trained to perform victim identification using simple procedures. We present a short review indicating the role of a general dental practitioner in forensic odontology.

Aim & Objectives: To Our society is facing new challenges, from an increase in crime to a rise in natural disasters. Despite advances in technology, it is still difficult to identify criminals using medical techniques. Dental tissues are frequently still present in corpses that have been burned, decomposed, skeletonized, or dismembered. So, forensic odontology has proven to be a crucial science in medical legal cases and in the process of identifying the deceased. This article gives a broad overview of contemporary forensic odontology concepts and the changing trends in traditional methods.

Background: The estimation of the hand of human beings is a major part for constructing a biological profile that assists with the identification of an individual. Aim and Objective: This study evaluated the predictive relationships between hand anthropometric dimensions, classified them according to Krogman Hand Index and stature to form a database. Methods: A randomized study sample of 237 (117 males and 120 females, respectively) volunteer children aged 16-20 years (mean age 19.02) were recruited. The Objective of the study were evaluated by an individual questionnaire data form, stature, weight, Palm, hand length, hand width, Thumb finger length, hand finger length, hand wrist circumference and hand wrist width were measured by anthropometer, stick, tape measure were estimated according to standardized protocols (International standards, millimetric) and classified according to Krogman index. Statistical analysis: The data was carried out using SPSS version 21.0 and the data are analyzed statistically with t-Test and Two way Anova. Results: The results indicate that in male population, the bilateral variation of hand length, hand breadth, palm length, thumb length, ring finger length and little finger length was statistically significant (p > 0.05). On the other hand, in female, bilateral difference of hand length, hand breadth, palm length, index finger length, middle finger length, ring finger length, and little finger length was statistically significant (p > 0.05). All hand dimensions were statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Aim & Objectives: To assess the dimensions of Occipital Condyle (OC) in three different age groups and to gender. Materials and Method: 60 CBCT volumes acquired from the dental archives were used. Using Planmeca Romexis software, Height of OC: Longest line drawn ascending from Condylar cartilage to the hypoglossal canal on the coronal section. Condylar Sagittal angle: long axis of the Condyle & the sagittal midline on the coronal section. Width of OC: Widest line drawn to the mid-point of the long axis of the OC on the axial section. Length of OC: Longest axis of the OC on the sagittal section. Results: The collected data were analysed with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23.0. (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). The parameters of height, width, length of OC and Condylar sagittal angle had a statistically significant ‘p’ value which was a boon to the present study. Conclusion: The morphometric variables such as height, width, length of OC & Condylar-Sagittal angle could serve as reliable tool in gender and age determination in Forensics.

Aim & Objectives: To assess the dimensions of hard palate, volumes of maxillary sinus and upper airways in three different age groups and to gender. Materials And Method: 60 CBCT volumes acquired from the dental archives were used. Using Planmeca Romexis software, posterior width of the Hard palate is measured by drawing a line connecting the palatal cortical bone at the roots of the first molars of the right & left sides and of the first premolars. A perpendicular line drawn from the highest point of hard palate to the center of the horizontal lines determine the height of the hard palate. Using ITK SNAP software, the volumes of Maxillary sinus and upper airways is measured. Estimation of the upper airway space will limit to the level of C3. Results: Intergroup comparison performed using “One way ANOVA test” revealed a statistically difference between age groups for width of hard palate at molar (p=0.033) and premolar level (p=0.024) as well as volume of maxillary sinus on the right (p=0.023) and left side (p=0.005). Intergroup comparison performed using “One way ANOVA test” revealed a statistically difference between facial types for volume of maxillary sinus on the right and left side (p