Lívia Graziele Rodrigues

Positive Identification of Skeletal Remains Combining Smile Photographs and Forensic Anthropology A Case Report

Forensic experts may face challenging situations in the routine of human identifications, such as the lack of ante-mortem (AM) data; and cadaveric alterations, such as charred, mutilated and decomposed bodies, as well as skeletal remains. In this context, alternative pathways for human identification must be taken following scientific criteria. The present study reports a case of human identification combining the analysis of smile photographs and forensic anthropology exams. Skeletal remains of were referred for human identification in the local medico-legal institute. The anthropological profile of the victim, containing age, sex, stature and ancestry information pointed out a potential victim from a police list of missing persons. Relatives of the victims did not provide AM data; except for a single smile photograph form the victim’s personal belongings. Dental autopsy, previously guided by anthropologicalexams, culminated in positive identification. Similar to all the other pathways for human identification, the analysis of smile photographs presents advantages and limitations. However, when combined to other methods, such as forensic anthropology, smile photographs trend the reveal greater application.

Cuerpo esqueletizado identificado por análisis morfológico del seno frontal y características del material de osteosíntesis - relato de caso pericial

1 Profesor de Odontología Legal de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Federal de Goiás. Perito Criminal de la Policía Científica de Goiás (Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil). ORCID: 0000-0002-3680-7020 2 Estudiante Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Federal de Goiás (Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil). ORCID: 0000-0002-1290-3755 3 Estudiante Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Federal de Goiás (Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil). ORCID: 0000-0001-5256-9811 4 Estudiante Posgrado de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Federal de Goiás (Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil). ORCID: 0000-0002-6218-4015 5 Especialista en Radiología Odontológica, Asociación Brasileña de Odontología, Sección Goiás (Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil). ORCID: 0000-0001-9250-9282 6 Servicio de Registro y Admisión de Pacientes, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de la República (Uruguay). ORCID: 0000-00030166-1145 7 Estudiante del Doctorado en Anatomía de la Facultad de Odontología de Piracicaba de la Universidad Estadual de Campinas (San Pablo, Brasil). ORCID: 0000-0002-8715-4672 Resumen

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.

Screening the use of informed consent forms prior to procedures involving operative dentistry: ethical aspects

Background. The present study aimed to screen the knowledge and attitudes of dentists toward the use of informed consent forms prior to procedures involving operative dentistry. Methods. A research tool containing questions (questionnaire) regarding the use of informed consent forms was developed. The questionnaire consisted of seven questions structured to screen the current practice in operative dentistry towards the use of informed consent forms. Results. The questionnaires were distributed among 731 dentists, of which 179 returned them with answers. Sixty-seven dentists reported not using informed consent forms. The main reasons for not using informed consent forms were: having a complete dental record signed by the patient (67.2%) and having a good relation with patients (43.6%). The dentists who reported using informed consent forms revealed that they obtained them from other dentists and made their own modifications (35.9%). Few dentists revealed contacting lawyers (1.7%) and experts in legal dentistry (0.9%) for the development of their informed consent forms. Conclusion. A high number of dentists working in the field of operative dentistry behave according to the ethical standards in the clinical practice, becoming unprotected against ethical and legal actions.

Importancia Pericial de los Modelos de Yeso Odontológicos para la Identificación de Cuerpo Putrefacto - Relato de Caso

Faced with complex cases of human identification, such as bodies in an advanced state of decomposition, the application of dental techniques becomes necessary to establish the identity of a missing person. In this sense, the existence and obtaining of ante-mortem dental records of an alleged victim, as well as the analysis of the dental specificities of the respective corpse, can constitute a quick and low-cost possibility for human identification by dental features. The objective of this report is to present a forensic case, demonstrating the importance of plaster models for the positive identification of a decomposed body, discussing the inherent aspects of archiving and discarding them after their clinical use. Dental plaster models are substantial for the diagnosis, planning and execution of certain treatments, and must be stored on physical or digital media. Likewise, they have a significant potential for human identification by reliably allowing the three-dimensional evaluation of the teeth, their positions in the dental arches and the dental peculiarities that may be present.