Fernando Fortes Picoli

Human identification through the patella—Report of two cases

The human identification process is often performed by the comparison between acquired post-mortem (PM) fingerprints, dental patterns, or DNA sample with ante-mortem (AM) databases. However, in some special situations alternative sources of human identifiers reveal valuable part as forensic tools. In this context, medical records of surgical interventions and morphological bone traits are useful in the anthropological environment, specifically for the PM examination of skeletal remains. The present study reports two cases of positive human identifications by the comparative analysis between AM and PM radiographic medical records of surgically treated human patella. The present outcome highlights the importance of storing and updating medical records in order to aid human identification processes in special forensic situations.

Human identification through the analysis of smile photographs.

AbstractThe comparison between antemortem and portmortem data comprehends the basis of the dental identification process. High-tech devices allow for optimal manipulation of postmortem data. However, in especial situations, the victims do not have records of dental treatments, making necessary the search for antemortem data from personal belongings. Smile photographs are one of the most common sources of dental information detected from personal belongings. In this context, the present study reports a forensic case in which a charred body was positively identified through the application of 3 techniques for the analysis of smile photographs.

Forensic thanatology and the pink tooth phenomenon: From the lack of relation with the cause of death to a potential evidence of cadaveric decomposition in dental autopsies — Case series

Forensic thanatology comprises the investigation of every phenomenon related to death performed through cadaveric exams. The pink tooth phenomenon (PTP) emerges as a thanatological finding registered during medical or dental autopsy. The PTP consists of a reddish or pink coloration caused in the teeth by the penetration of pulpal hemoglobin in the dentinal tubules. Initially, the PTP was associated with specific violent deaths, such as drowning, hanging and poisoning. However, scientific reports have pointed towards the occurrence of PTP as an expression of cadaveric decomposition regardless of the cause of death. The present study aims to report eight dental autopsies of victims of violent death that presented the PTP. The autopsies were conducted by forensic pathologists and dentists between 2013 and 2018. Seven victims were males and one was female. The age ranged above 6years old. Cranio-encephalic trauma, firearm shooting and asphyxia figured as the causes of death. All the victims were in advanced decomposition. The PTP was detected in deciduous and permanent, anterior and posterior and maxillary and mandibular teeth. Forensic experts, especially dentists, must be aware of the PTP for more detailed registration of postmortem findings and more accurate cadaveric exams.

Forensic Identification of Decomposed Human Body through Comparison between Ante-Mortem and Post-Mortem CT Images of Frontal Sinuses: Case Report

Objective The aim of this paper is to report on a case of positive human identification of a decomposed body after the comparison of ante-mortem (AM) and port-mortem (PM) computed tomography images of frontal sinus. Case report An unknown, highly decomposed human body, aged between 30 and 40 years, was found in a forest region in Brazil. The dental autopsy revealed several teeth missing AM and the presence of removable partial prostheses. The search for AM data resulted in a sequence of 20 axial images of the paranasal sinuses obtained by Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT). PM reproduction of the MSCT images was performed in order to enable a comparative identification. After a direct confrontation between AM/PM MSCT, the data were collected for morphological findings, specifically for the lateral expansion of the left lobe, the anteroposterior dimension, and the position of median and accessory septa of the sinuses. Conclusion The importance of storing and interpreting radiographic medical data properly is highlighted in this text, thus pointing out the importance of application of forensic radiology in the field of law.

Identifying murder victims with endodontic radiographs

Endodontics is a special branch of dentistry constantly guided by imaging examinations. From a forensic scope, endodontics plays a valuable role providing solid antemortem (AM) radiographic evidence for comparison with postmortem findings in human identifications. This study illustrates the interface between endodontics and forensic odontology describing three cases of human identification based on radiographic endodontic records. From 2009 to 2012, three unknown male victims of murder were examined in a local Brazilian medico-legal institute to retrieve identity and potential cause of death. Specifically, when asked for AM data, a relative of the three victims provided periapical radiographs of endodontic treatments. Based on that, forensic dentists reproduced the same imaging acquisition techniques obtaining similar periapical radiographs, enabling a comparative dental identification. All the victims were positively identified based on patterns of dental morphology and treatment intervention. This study draws the attention of general and forensic dentists highlight the importance of properly recording dental treatments and searching for evidence in AM endodontic data, respectively.