Eduardo Daruge Júnior

The forensic importance of frontal sinus radiographs.

The identification of unidentified human remains through the comparison of antemortem and postmortem radiographs has found wide acceptance in recent years. Reported here is the forensic case of an unidentified adult male who had died as the result of a traffic accident, after which the body was identified by matching images of ante- and postmortem radiographs of the frontal sinus. A general discussion on identification using frontal sinus radiographs is presented, highlighting the reliability of this method, in reference to the uniqueness of the frontal sinus in humans. However, it also notes a few difficulties, especially in reference to the X-ray technique in cases where antemortem radiographs are available and a potentially larger number of anatomical, pathological or traumatic features are present. The comparison of frontal sinus outlines is recommended when it may become necessary to provide quantitative substantiation for forensic identification based on these structures.

Age Estimation by Measurements of Developing Teeth: Accuracy of Cameriere’s Method on a Brazilian Sample

Abstract:  Developing teeth are commonly the criteria used for age estimation in children and young adults. The method developed by Cameriere et al. (Int J Legal Med 2006;120:49‐52) is based on measures of teeth with open apex, and application of a formula, to estimate chronological age of children. The present study evaluated a sample of panoramic radiographs from Brazilian children from 5 to 15 years of age, to evaluate the accuracy of the method proposed by Cameriere et al. The results has proven the system reliable for age estimation, with a median residual error of −0.014 years between chronological and estimated ages (p = 0.603). There was a slight tendency to overestimate the ages of 5–10 years and underestimate the ages of 11–15 years.

Utilização de documentação ortodôntica na identificação humana

Objective: This study describes a forensic case of incinerated remains that were identified using information found in his orthodontic records. Method: Incinerated remains of a man were found inside a car. After forensic crime scene investigation and postmortem and radiographic exams in the Forensic Department, forensic experts found that the victim had a fixed orthodontic appliance, supernumerary teeth in all quadrants, partially erupted third molars and amalgam restorations in some surfaces of several teeth. As the individual’s soft tissues were substantially destroyed, identification using fingerprints was not the ideal choice. After orthodontic records were handed in by the family, his clinical chart, radiographs, intra- and extraoral photographs and impressions were analyzed, and these data were compared with previously collected information. Results and Conclusions: Forensic dentistry examination revealed 20 concordant points in specimen examination and orthodontic records, which enabled the establishment of a positive correlation between the cadaver under examination and the missing person and eliminated the need for further analyses (DNA tests) to identify the victim.OBJECTIVE: This study describes a forensic case of incinerated remains of a man that were identified using information found in his orthodontic records. METHODS: Incinerated remains of a man were found inside a car. After forensic crime scene investigation and postmortem and radiographic exams in the Forensic Department, forensic experts found that the victim had a fixed orthodontic appliance, supernumerary teeth in all quadrants, partially erupted third molars and amalgam restorations in some surfaces of several teeth. As the individuals soft tissues were substantially destroyed, identification using fingerprints was not the ideal choice. After orthodontic records were handed in by the family, his clinical chart, radiographs, intra- and extraoral photographs and impressions were analyzed, and these data were compared with previously collected information. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Forensic dentistry examination revealed 20 concordant points in specimen examination and orthodontic records, which enabled the establishment of a positive correlation between the cadaver under examination and the missing person and eliminated the need for further analyses (DNA tests) to identify the victim.

Importance of frontal sinus radiographs for human identification

Humans beings can be identified through a series of methods, being fingerprints the most widely adopted when soft tissue is preserved. However, when the cadaver is carbonized or in skeletal form, forensic dental and anthropologic analysis may become necessary to identify the individual. Medical documentation (mainly xray images) may substantially improve the chances of identifying corpses initially deemed unrecognizable. This paper describes a forensic case in which human remains could be positively correlated to the identity of a missing person through analysis of images of the subject’s frontal sinus in skull posterior-anterior x-ray images.

Comparison of gunshot entrance morphologies caused by .40-caliber Smith & Wesson, .380-caliber, and 9-mm Luger bullets: a finite element analysis study.

Firearms can cause fatal wounds, which can be identified by traces on or around the body. However, there are cases where neither the bullet nor gun is found at the crime scene. Ballistic research involving finite element models can reproduce computational biomechanical conditions, without compromising bioethics, as they involve no direct tests on animals or humans. This study aims to compare the morphologies of gunshot entrance holes caused by.40-caliber Smith & Wesson (S&W), .380-caliber, and 9×19-mm Luger bullets. A fully metal-jacketed.40 S&W projectile, a fully metal-jacketed.380 projectile, and a fully metal-jacketed 9×19-mm Luger projectile were computationally fired at the glabellar region of the finite element model from a distance of 10 cm, at perpendicular incidence. The results show different morphologies in the entrance holes produced by the three bullets, using the same skull at the same shot distance. The results and traits of the entrance holes are discussed. Finite element models allow feasible computational ballistic research, which may be useful to forensic experts when comparing and analyzing data related to gunshot wounds in the forehead.

Utilização de auxiliares odontológicos em Ortodontia: implicações éticas e legais

INTRODUCTION: the work market has been shown to be saturated with professionals working at large urban centers and, for this reason, productive strategies are indispensable. The delegation of functions to dental assistants is becoming vital and quite common for those that work with Orthodontics. AIM: to evaluate the profile of the orthodontists and the workload delegated by them to the dental assistant team. METHODS: a questionnaire was given to all specialists in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics registered at the Regional Council of Dentistry of Goias, with practices in Goiânia and Aparecida de Goiânia. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: the results demonstrated that orthodontists, in general, take advantage of the work labor of the dental assistants even surpassing the ethical-legal limits.

Identificação humana por meio do estudo de imagens radiográficas odontológicas: relato de caso

INTRODUCTION: Among the various documents that make up a dental chart, we value the imaging exams for purposes of human identification, and among them the radiographic, which, when carefully produced and properly archived, allow the identification of any person, in addition to being of low cost. Mainly for these reasons they are fundamental to the process of human dental identification. OBJECTIVE: To describe one case of identifying a burned individual via radiographic analysis of the dental arch and to demonstrate that odontological human identification is effective and low cost. MATERIAL AND METHOD: To identify a burn victim, we proceeded to compare a panoramic dental X-ray made prior to the fatality with the post-mortem periapical radiographs. RESULT: Twelve points of similarity were found between the images studied, which were enough to positively identify the cadaver. CONCLUSION: The study in question allowed us to show that the odontological method of human identification is effective, low cost, and has a good margin of safety, since it works with highly individualized characteristics.

Correlation between maxillary central incisor crown morphology and mandibular dental arch form in normal occlusion subjects

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the morphology of the mandibular dental arch and the maxillary central incisor crown. Cast models from 51 Caucasian individuals, older than 15 years, with optimal occlusion, no previous orthodontic treatment, featuring 4 of the 6 keys to normal occlusion by Andrews (the first being mandatory) were observed. The models were digitalized using a 3D scanner, and images of the maxillary central incisor and mandibular dental arch were obtained. These were printed and placed in an album below pre-set models of arches and dental crowns, and distributed to 12 dental surgeons, who were asked to choose which shape was most in accordance with the models and crown presented. The Kappa test was performed to evaluate the concordance among evaluators while the chi-square test was used to verify the association between the dental arch and central incisor morphology, at a 5% significance level. The Kappa test showed moderate agreement among evaluators for both variables of this study, and the chi-square test showed no significant association between tooth shape and mandibular dental arch morphology. It may be concluded that the use of arch morphology as a diagnostic method to determine the shape of the maxillary central incisor is not appropriate. Further research is necessary to assess tooth shape using a stricter scientific basis.

Endoscopic removal of an endodontic file accidentally swallowed: clinical and legal approaches.

The use of a rubber dam is an essential procedure when treating root canals, and not using it may compromise the success of the treatment, as well as the patients health. This report presents a case in which a K-file was accidentally swallowed during an endodontic procedure, performed without the use of a rubber dam. Given the absence of immediate clinical complications, the subject underwent a chest radiograph. The file was located at the oesophagogastric junction and was later removed by endoscopy. In addition to the clinical repercussions, this example also illustrates the ethical-legal aspects of this type of accident.

Orbital aperture morphometry in Brazilian population by postero-anterior Caldwell radiographs

Morphological variations of the orbital aperture measurements act as parameter for sexual and ethnic determination. The aim of this study evaluated the dimensions of the orbital aperture in Brazilian subjects to verify its relationship to gender. The orbital apertures of 97 individuals were examined through Caldwell radiographic technique. The maximum width and height of the orbits were measured. The inter-orbital distance, which is the minimum distance between the medial walls of the orbits, was also measured. Statistical analysis was performed through the Pearson test for correlation between measurements and Student t test with 5% significance level to verify the relation between the gender. Determination of significance attributed to non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (p<0.05). The test of intra-class correlation (ICC) showed satisfactory repeatability (ICC=0.9932, p<0.0001) between measurements performed, taken at different time periods. The ICC showed satisfactory repeatability (ICC=0.9932, p<0.0001) between measurements performed at different periods. In the t test, significant differences between the genders, the width, and area of the orbital aperture were obtained. In conclusion, if the area of orbital aperture is <8.5 cm2, the skull is likely to be a female; if it is >9.0 cm2, it is likely to be a male. If the width of orbital aperture is <3.5 cm the skull is likely to be a female; if it is >3.5 cm, it is likely to be a male. If the inter-orbital distance is <2.4 cm the skull is likely to be a female; if it is >2.5 cm, it is likely to be a male.