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.

Forensic odontology plays an important role in human identification, especially in cases involving decomposed, burned, or mutilated bodies where conventional methods such as fingerprinting are not possible. Teeth are highly durable and resist physical, chemical, and thermal damage, making them reliable forensic tools. Endodontics contributes significantly through the evaluation of secondary dentin deposition, root canal morphology, pulp chamber dimensions, and endodontic treatment characteristics, which are unique to each individual. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) has improved forensic dental analysis by providing accurate three-dimensional imaging of dental structures. It allows detailed assessment of pulp chamber size, root canal anatomy, calcifications, restorations, obturation patterns, missed canals, and separated instruments that serve as forensic identifiers. Secondary dentin deposition is valuable for age estimation due to the reduction in pulp chamber volume with age, while variations incanalmorphologyandtreatmentpatternsassistinpersonalidentificationthrough radiographic comparison. This review highlights the forensic importance of CBCT in evaluating secondary dentin, root canal anatomy, and endodontic treatment characteristics, emphasizing its growing role in modern forensic odontology.

Orthodontic records including radiographs, three-dimensional digital models, and study casts serve as invaluable antemortem data for human identification due to their high detail and longitudinal nature. Research highlights the stability of anatomical landmarks like palatal rugae and the individuality of malocclusion patterns as reliable biometric markers. Furthermore, orthodontic appliances act as durable physical identifiers in forensic investigations and mass disasters. By integrating clinical documentation with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence or three-dimensional superimposition, orthodontics significantly enhances the accuracy of age estimation and victim identification, reinforcing its vital role in forensic odontology.