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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijfo.0974.505X.16123.1

Abstract

Background: Identification of a body is the cornerstone of forensic investigation. If primary methods of identification are impossible (absence of comparative DNA samples, fingerprints, and teeth records), it can be performed using radiographic techniques, whenever antemortem images are available. Visual comparison of antemortem and postmortem images, such as frontal sinuses radiographics and CBCTs can allow identification. The uniqueness and reliability of frontal sinus and nasal septum patterns is used for human identification in forensic science. personal identification can also be done by assessment of pneumatisation of sphenoidal sinus.

Aim & Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the use of frontal sinus and nasal septum patterns and the pneumatisation of sphenoidal sinus for personal identification. To correlate all the parameters to find which is more accurate for identifying a person.

Materials & Method: Study Design: A Retrospective Study. Study Population: A study of 90 CBCT images, (45 males and 45 females) acquired from the archives that were generated using Planmeca Promax 3D MID Proface CBCT machine and assessed with Planmeca Romexis Software. Sample size: Sample of 90 CBCT images obtained from the archives. CBCT images of patients between 18 - 69 years of age.

Result: Pearson’s Chi-Square test between gender for frontal sinus were 2=12.659, p=0.005<0.01 which shows highly statistical significance between frontal sinus and gender, for nasal septum were 2=0.722, p=0.949>0.05 which shows no statistical significance between nasal septum and gender, for sphenoid sinus were 2=9.574, p=0.008<0.01 which shows highly statistical significance between sphenoid sinus and gender. But his study had individual variations in frontal sinus, nasal septum and sphenoid sinus for every person.

Conclusion: Imaging of the human body, especially the head and neck region, has been useful in forensic dentistry for proving medicolegal cases and in human identifications during mass disasters.

Hence, this study determines the reliability and accuracy of frontal sinus, sphenoidal sinus and nasal septum pattern as a tool for personal identification.

Keywords : Frontal sinus; Nasal septum; Sphenoid sinus; Personal identification; CBCT.

Corresponding Author : Saraswathi Gopal. K, Head of the Department, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Chennai 600095, Tamil Nadu, India.