Escolar Documentos
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3
doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.12404
CASE REPORT Available online at: onlinelibrary.wiley.com
ABSTRACT: Several techniques are used to perform an appropriate and reliable human identification. Forensic dentistry has achieved great
relevance over the past years. The aim of this article is to report the method used for the identification of a male body found in the colliquative
stage of putrefaction. The identification of the victim was succeeded confronting the dental findings found in the corpse with the data present
on dental records provided by his dentist. The major elements for the identity′s recognition were a metal core and a prosthetic crown that were
being fabricated. These elements associated with the dental records were compelling for the elucidation of the case, and a positive body identi-
fication was achieved with high levels of probability. In the present case, cadaveric analysis of stomatognathic system structures achieved a
probability value higher than DNA identification techniques, emphasizing the importance of forensic dentistry.
KEYWORDS: forensic sciences, body identification, dental records, dental prosthesis, Forensic dentistry, dental chart
Forensic dentistry is one of the major specialties in forensic dental documentation and to complete dental records is a crucial
sciences (1). Several valuable procedures are performed in this element in forensic analysis (4). Thus, it is important that the
area, such as examination of dental arches for identification of dental documentation contains as much data as possible (1). The
putrified, mutilated, charred, and skeletonized human remains aim of this article is to report the procedure utilized for a singu-
(1,2); investigation of mass disasters through the analysis of the lar body identification based on the information contained in the
complex stomatognathic system and its alterations (1–3); study individual’s dental records, along with a prosthesis on which his
of bite marks on living individuals (interpersonal aggression, dentist was working.
sexual crimes, abuse), dead bodies (homicide) and as an aid in
an attempt to establish the identity of the perpetrator (1,2).
Case Report
Dental examination is one of the methods routinely used in
forensic anthropology. It is usually applied with other biological On January 16, 2007, the victim’s brother reported to the Fed-
parameters in the process for human identification, for instance, eral District Civil Police, Brasılia-Brazil (PCDF), the finding of
fingerprint analysis (4,5), iris (4,5) and genetic analysis (1,6). It a body near his residence, assuming that it was his relative who
should be noted that the conditions in which an individual’s had been missing for a week. After completion of initial on-site
body is found and their antemortem information determine the forensic analysis, the complete body of a male at the end of the
method(s) to be employed (1,6). In this regard, access to detailed colliquative stage of putrefaction and beginning of the stage of
skeletonization was verified (Fig. 1). The body was sent to the
Institute of Legal Medicine (IML-DF) for routine necroscopic
1 examinations to determine the cause of death, the instrument
University of Planalto Central (UNIPLAC), SHIS, QI 07 Conjunto
10 Bloco E, Lago Sul Brasılia, Brazil.
and/or means, time of death, and the victim’s identity.
2
Department of Orthodontics, Brazilian Dental Association (ABO-DF), A removable partial dental prosthesis was found in the maxilla
University of Brasılia (UnB), Brasılia, Brazil. of the body. The analysis of the material revealed to be cobalt-
3
Department of Medical Sciences, University of Brasılia (UnB), Brasılia, chrome prosthesis with an asymmetric palatal bar, replacing
Brazil. teeth 16, 15, 14, 21, 25, and 26. The prosthetic element for tooth
4
Department of Genomics Sciences and Biotechnology, University of
olica (UCB), Brasılia, Brazil.
Cat 21 was broken. In addition, tooth 13 had a temporary restoration
5
Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Departamento de Medicina Legal, Faculdade de on the distal surface, and tooth 11, without a crown, had a tem-
Medicina, Universidade de Brasılia, Asa Norte, Brasılia 70910-900, Brazil. porary filling, which showed sealed root canal and intraradicular
6
Faculdade de Medicina, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, preparation (wasted axial wall of the canal and an bevel in the
Brasilia, Brazil.
7
Department of Medical Sciences, University of Brasilia (UnB), Brasilia,
cervical margin). The remaining teeth were in good general con-
Brazil. dition. (Fig. 2) The odontologic analysis detected features sug-
Received 4 June 2012; and in revised form 11 Jan. 2013; accepted gestive of dental treatment in progress. The brother confirmed
20 April 2013. that the victim was undergoing dental treatment, taking the
Discussion
The forensic literature reports that it is feasible to identify
charred, skeletonized, or decomposed individuals by analyzing
their dental peculiarities (1,6). The good results obtained in the
field of forensic dentistry are largely due to the fact that teeth
and dental materials are significantly resistant to climatic and
(b)
other adverse conditions (6,7). In addition, the information pres-
ent in the dental files of the physicians and dentists (dental
records, radiographs, plaster models, photographs, etc.) is extre-
mely valuable in identifying bodies. (1,2,6).
It is mentioned that, while comparing antemortem with post-
mortem records, some basic criteria should be followed, namely
presence of strong agreement, few relative points of disagree-
ment (<3), as well as proper documentation, completion and fil-
ing of dental records (8). During the first step of this
comparison, individualities’ aspects present in the jaws are con-
sidered, for example the presence and/or absence of teeth, resto-
rations (surfaces and materials), prosthesis, endodontic
treatments, diseases, and abnormalities among other aspects
(1,2). In the examination of dental documentation, data related
to the performed or planned treatment, which were registered in
the dental records by the clinician, are collected and associated
with the findings obtained from complementary examinations
FIG. 2––Front view of the upper jaw and occlusal. (radiographs, photographs, models, among others) (1,2). The last
step consists of comparing the data collected in the two previous
stages, considering the same reference point (face, teeth, hemi-
forensic experts to meet his dentist. When contacted, the dentist arch), and it is based on a qualitative and quantitative analysis
confirmed previous treatment of the supposed relative corpse, of the dental peculiarities (1,2).
thus allowing further investigations in the area. Unfortunately, In our case, one of the major elements for the corpse identifi-
the dentist had no antemortem radiographs of the victim. cation was the positive comparison at the region of tooth 11. It
MODESTI ET AL. . HUMAN IDENTIFICATION BY ORAL PROSTHESIS 827
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
FIG. 3––Photos of the adaptation of the core and crown in the maxilla, the plaster model and the dental chart.
was prosthetically prepared to receive a metal core and a crown aspects of greater importance in the identification of this case
that had been made and was stored in his dentist’s office. It is are the intra- and extraradicular morphology and dimension of
known that each cast metal post and core carries an individual the post and crown, which includes marginal adjustments
characteristic, according to the mold performed in the intraradic- (13,14).
ular cavity previously prepared. The probability of adaptation of Several antemortem (AM) and postmortem (PM) characteris-
a post and core in preparation different from its mold is remote. tics were coincident, and an excluding feature was not found
Thus, it is coherent to infer that a well-fabricated intraradicular during the analysis of the present case. Taken together, these
cast post and core is a unique and nontransferable identity of the findings allow only to conclude that there is a high-level possi-
prepared tooth. bility that the remains match the missing person. Unfortunately,
The loss of dental structure combined with endodontic treat- an international reliable system or recognized tool that can pre-
ment can affect the resistance of a tooth, requiring a single-unit dict the exact probability for human identification based on den-
prosthesis, which demands the use of intraradicular retainer tal findings does not exist yet. To assess the approximate
(IRR) (9,10). IRR is responsible for retention of the final resto- probability of identification, we have analyzed the probability of
ration of the treated tooth and protection of the remaining each match found. It is known that the probability of occurrence
radicular structure. (9,10) The need for a retainer depends of multiple independent aspects is equal to the product of each
exclusively on the amount of the remaining coronal dental separate probability (p = p1 9 p2 9 p3…pn). Applying this
structure, which does not always offer the desired resistance. mathematical principle in human identification, the probability
(11,12) For proper retention of the restoration, the ideal length rate will be as higher according to the number of rare and singu-
of the retainer should measure at least 2/3 of the radicu- lar features. However, based on a mathematical principle, it is
lar length and be greater than or equal to the future crown impossible to reach a rate of 100% of probability as the product
(9–11,13). With regard to such criteria, related to fabrication of of infinite numbers close to zero, as an example, only tends to
the prosthesis, the technical requirements were within the get closer to the number zero without reaching it. A critical
appropriate standard in this case (9–13). Among the prosthetic trouble is the lack of statistical data for the various dental
828 JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES
TABLE 2––Statistical analysis of the metal core and crown fit at tooth 11.
(a)
Aspects EEP%* EEP/100† CPM‡
Metal core length <10 0.1 0.1
Mid-distal dimension of the metal core <10 0.1 0.01
Vestibulo-palatal dimension of the <10 0.1 0.001
metal core
Taper of the metal core <10 0.1 0.0001
Form of the metal core support <10 0.1 0.00001
Dimensions of the metal core support <10 0.1 0.000001
Dimensions of the coronal part of <10 0.1 0.0000001
the metal core
Cervical fit of the crown on the teeth <10 0.1 0.00000001
Dimensions of the crown <10 0.1 0.000000001
Proximal contact of the crown <10 0.1 0.0000000001
*Estimated probability in general population (EPP).
†
Estimated probability in general population/100 (EPP/100).
‡
Cumulative probability for matching (CPM).
(b)
The author has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. All in-text references underlined in blue are linked to publications on ResearchGate.