Suzana Papile Maciel Carvalho

A utilização de imagens na identificação humana em odontologia legal

Este artigo de revisao sistematica tem por objetivo citar os metodos de identificacao humana por meio daradiologia, utilizados em odontologia legal. Para isso, realizou-se revisao de literatura com 19 trabalhos se-lecionados dentre 45 encontrados, apos aplicacao de criterios de inclusao. Ha diversas tecnicas radiologicasque podem ser utilizadas para auxiliar na identificacao humana, tanto individual como geral, incluindo adeterminacao do genero, do grupo etnico e, principalmente, da idade. A analise de radiografias e tomogra-fias ante-mortem e post-mortem tornou-se uma ferramenta fundamental nos processos de identificacao emodontologia legal, principalmente com o refinamento das tecnicas adquiridas com o avanco da propria radio-logia e com a incorporacao da informatica. Conclui-se que a partir do conhecimento adequado dos metodosdisponiveis, o profissional em odontologia legal pode optar pelo metodo que melhor preencha as caracteris-ticas necessarias para o sucesso da identificacao, tendo cuidado na aplicacao correta da tecnica e na inter-pretacao precisa das informacoes obtidas.Unitermos: Radiologia; Odontologia legal; Identificacao humana.The present systematic review article is aimed at describing radiological methods utilized for humanidentification in forensic dentistry. For this purpose, a literature review was undertaken, and out of 45 papers,19 were selected in accordance with inclusion criteria. Several radiological techniques can be used to assistin both individual and general identification, including determination of gender, ethnic group and, mainly,age. The analysis of ante-mortem and post-mortem radiographic and tomographic images has become anessential tool for human identification in forensic dentistry, particularly with the refinement of techniquesresulting from developments in the field of the radiology itself as well as the incorporation of informationtechnology resources to the technique. It can be concluded that, based on an appropriate knowledge on theavailable methods, forensic dentists can choose the best method to achieve a successful identification witha careful application of the technique and accurate interpretation of data.Keywords: Radiology; Forensic dentistry; Human identification.

Validation of a physical anthropology methodology using mandibles for gender estimation in a Brazilian population

UNLABELLED Validation studies of physical anthropology methods in the different population groups are extremely important, especially in cases in which the population variations may cause problems in the identification of a native individual by the application of norms developed for different communities. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to estimate the gender of skeletons by application of the method of Oliveira, et al. (1995), previously used in a population sample from Northeast Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS The accuracy of this method was assessed for a population from Southeast Brazil and validated by statistical tests. The method used two mandibular measurements, namely the bigonial distance and the mandibular ramus height. The sample was composed of 66 skulls and the method was applied by two examiners. The results were statistically analyzed by the paired t test, logistic discriminant analysis and logistic regression. RESULTS The results demonstrated that the application of the method of Oliveira, et al. (1995) in this population achieved very different outcomes between genders, with 100% for females and only 11% for males, which may be explained by ethnic differences. However, statistical adjustment of measurement data for the population analyzed allowed accuracy of 76.47% for males and 78.13% for females, with the creation of a new discriminant formula. CONCLUSION It was concluded that methods involving physical anthropology present high rate of accuracy for human identification, easy application, low cost and simplicity; however, the methodologies must be validated for the different populations due to differences in ethnic patterns, which are directly related to the phenotypic aspects. In this specific case, the method of Oliveira, et al. (1995) presented good accuracy and may be used for gender estimation in Brazil in two geographic regions, namely Northeast and Southeast; however, for other regions of the country (North, Central West and South), previous methodological adjustment is recommended as demonstrated in this study.

Quality evaluation of DNA obtained from stored human saliva and its applicability to identification in Forensic Dentistry

Purpose: This study evaluated the quality of DNA obtained from stored human saliva and its applicability to human identification. Methods: The saliva samples of 20 subjects, collected in the form of saliva in natura and from mouth swabs and stored at -20oC, were analyzed. After 7 days, the DNA was extracted from the 40 saliva samples and subjected to PCR and electrophoresis. After 180 days, the technique was repeated with the 20 swab samples. Results: The first-stage results indicated that DNA was successfully extracted in 97.5% of reactions, 95% of saliva in natura and 100% of swab saliva samples, with no statistically significant difference between the forms of saliva. In the second phase, the result was positive for all 20 analyzed samples (100%). Subsequently, in order to analyze the quality of the DNA obtained from human saliva, the SIX3-2 gene was tested on the 20 mouth swab samples, and the PCR products were digested using the MbO1 restriction enzyme to evaluate polymorphisms in the ADRA-2 gene, with positive results for most samples. Conclusion: It was concluded that the quantity and quality of DNA from saliva and the techniques employed are adequate for forensic analysis of DNA.

ASPECTOS LEGAIS DA DOCUMENTAÇÃO ODONTOLÓGICA: UMA REVISÃO SOBRE VALIDADE LEGAL, PRIVACIDADE E ACEITAÇÃO NO MEIO JURÍDICO

Introducao: A Odontologia tem-se adequado as novas tendencias oferecidas pelo mundo moderno. O avanco tecnologico das ultimas decadas e o uso crescente de computadores nas relacoes humanas e de trabalho tem influenciado os cirurgioes-dentistas, que cada vez mais utilizam recursos digitais, inclusive para documentar seu trabalho, por meio do prontuario odontologico digital. Objetivo: Neste sentido, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo abordar os aspectos legais do uso da documentacao odontologica digital. O trabalho ira expor, tambem, as vantagens e desvantagens do uso do ambiente eletronico, ressaltando o grande desafio que se coloca nesses casos: garantir a autenticidade, integridade e confidencialidade das informacoes arquivadas. Conclusao: A documentacao digital tem valor legal. Aquelas que possuem certificacao vinculada a ICP-Brasil, dispoem de mecanismos que garantem autenticidade, seguranca, privacidade e integridade das informacoes.

Effectiveness of dental records in human identification

Forensic dentistry, a branch of the forensic sciences, plays an important role within postmortem human identification, especially in cases of corpses that are charred, skeletonized or in an advanced state of decomposition. Identification of human remains via dental knowledge is done using a comparative technique, which is simple, inexpensive and reliable, the aim of which is to compare dental records and information recorded by dentists in clinical appointments made before an individuals death, with postmortem dental records obtained via forensic examination. In this context, the present study aims to demonstrate the importance of dental records and the effectiveness of forensic dentistry in human identification, illustrated by the report of a case that was conducted at the Sao Luis Coroners Office in the Brazilian state of Maranhao. It may be concluded that dental records maintained by a dentist, when complete, properly structured and correctly archived, retain important personal information and are fundamental tools in the process of human identification.

Rugoscopia palatina como bioindicador de identificação em Odontologia Legal

Human identification has been studied since century XIV and it has been increasingly advanced. The objective of this study was to simplify the method of identification by means of palatal rugae together with the incisive papilla, the median face, the shape of the arch and the tooth presence or absence. The sample was comprised of 100 models and their respective negative. Three examiners participated of the research, so the study was blind: examiner one was responsible for the election of the initial models; examiner two scanned the copies (database creation); and examiner three renumbered the models in such a manner that they were verified by examiner two and, subsequently, the coincidence of the points was evaluated for a possible identification. Digital models were examined by means of the Photoshop 7.0.1® program. The results, which were found through the analysis of non coincident points, led to a percentage of 100% certainty on the identification, making the identification of all individuals through the method proposed possible. It has been concluded that it is possible to achieve the human identification by means of palatal rugae provided that it has a previous database. It is a useful identification method of identification, taking into account the risk of five criteria that exclude the possibility of errors, since any model was coincident with another in any point.