Mariusz Glapiński

Difficulties in personal identification caused by unreliable dental records

This paper demonstrates a case of personal identification that initially seemed straightforward, mainly because complete and comprehensive antemortem dental records of a missing person were made available for analysis. Skeletal remains were found and the skull (most crucial for human identification) was delivered for analysis. Comparative analysis of antemortem and postmortem dental records excluded identification, while the results of superimposition (simultaneously performed by another team member) revealed sufficient concordant points to establish identity. The results caused confusion and additional information was required. The need for more evidence resulted in delivery of elements of the postcranial skeleton. Identification was finally achieved when concordant points were established in a comparison of antemortem X-rays and the humerus. Team members concluded that the dental records were in fact not adequate and that mistakes in numbering the teeth (superior canine instead inferior canine and right and left premolars) were considered to be the initial reason a positive identification had not been made. The authors conclude that a multidisciplinary approach is crucial to making a positive identification and that caution should be exercised when carrying out personal identification from dental records alone. The need to adequately train police officers to collect and preserve dental evidence is also emphasized.

Analysis of human dentition from Early Bronze Age: 4000-year-old puzzle

This paper presents the first ever paleodontological investigation of human remains from an archeological site in Central Europe dating from the Early Bronze Age and attributed to the Strzyzow Culture. It corroborates the knowledge gained from archeological, anthropological and genetical investigations. Our study aimed to assess dental status, dental morphology and dental pathologies as well as tooth wear and enamel hypoplasia based on visual inspection and stereomicroscopic investigation. The research was supported by CBCT imaging to obtain digital images and 3D reconstructions as well as 2D radiographs essential for dental age estimation. All of the 191 teeth discovered showed morphological similarity, with adult teeth showing similar color, shape and size. A maxillary molar presenting with a unique root morphology and a mandibular molar with a rare occlusal surface were found. Both permanent and deciduous dentition presented significant tooth wear. A few specimens displayed signs of dental caries, periapical pathology and antemortem tooth loss. Three individuals exhibited linear enamel hypoplasia. CBCT provided high-quality 2D images useful for dental age estimation by non-destructive methods. Estimated dental age correlated with the age estimated by other anthropological methods. In one case, this was crucial because of insufficient material for anthropological analysis. The presented studies have proved that besides the skeleton, teeth can be used as a fundamental tool in assessing the overall health and living conditions of paleopopulations. It would seem that there is potential for considerable development to be made in the research and investigation of paleodontological material using CBCT.

Re: Enigmatic morphological traits in human teeth from early bronze age

Dr. Stamfelj’s letter to Editor raises several concerns with the article ‘‘Analysis of human dentition from Early Bronze Age: 4000-year-old puzzle’’ by Przystańska et al. We are extremely glad for the interesting comments. We are pleased that our research article has provided stimulus for further discussion. We agree with Dr. Stamfelj that the ASUDAS [1] is used for scoring dental morphology. Dental morphology is shared by paleontologists, odontologists, dental anthropologists, geneticists and dentists [2]. Paleontologists have developed nomenclatures intended to impart phylogenetic information on homologies in crown structure, while dental anatomists and dentists use positional terms for major cusps and other features of the tooth crown that are unambiguous [2]. Although assessment of tooth morphology was the part of aim of our study, the paper focuses more on the pathologies and age determination. Our intention was to make it more familiar for wider group of readers, than only dental anthropologists; therefore, we decided to use anatomical nomenclature commonly used in dental clinical practice. This could have been explained in the paper and we are grateful to get the opportunity to clarify it in this short reply. Dr. Stamfelj correctly pointed out that Fig. 2 provides information not harmonizing with the text. It presents actually maxillary, not mandibular permanent molar. We found this error undetected. The author of the letter to the editor also presents his opinion on the root morphology of molars described in our study. Assessment of tooth morphology, especially when the corresponding alveolar socket (bony fragment) is lacking, is a complicated and demanding task, even for experienced specialist, and the observations are always burdened with uncertainty. Realizing the difficulties, the presented study was undertaken by a large interdisciplinary team including experienced anthropologists and odontologists, also specialized in human dental morphology and radiology. Therefore, the results are presented by consensus and were previously critically reviewed and discussed among the members of our team as well as researchers who had the opportunity to see the results during the thematic conferences. Taking into account the narrow scientific community and vast number of articles published in the field, we appreciate the alternative interpretation of Dr. Stamfelj which extends the discussion.

“Biometric Dental Rosette” - Introduction into New Method of Dental Identification

The hypothesis of the study was that human dentition is unique. This study was performed to analyze whether biometric methods using measurements and proportions are suitable for dental identification. The use of 3D models with specialized systems for computer aided engineering (CAE) and Reverse Engineering (RE) allowed for a number of point surface and volume comparative analyses. “Mapping” was carried out next on the dentition models. This procedure results in a set of curves and points depicting the characteristic features of the teeth and their edges respectively. Based on the “mapping” the so-called “biometric dental rosette” was created for the dentition models. The “biometric dental rosette” was created for maxillary and mandibular dentition models. Every rosette was individual thus unique. The method allowed for positive identification of all the volunteers. The presented studies are of preliminary character, and the continuation is necessary.