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Nunes T, Ribeiro R, Almiro PA, Fontes R, Machado R, Abreu J, Corte-Real A. Orofacial assessment as digital path for forensic and legal evidence record. Forensic Sci Res 2024; 9:owae006. [PMID: 39006155 PMCID: PMC11240156 DOI: 10.1093/fsr/owae006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In forensic scenarios, such as armed conflicts or mass disasters, the oral cavity can be a valuable source of identification information relevant to legal issues. In many European Union countries, it is mandatory to register dental records for identification purposes. A pilot and quasi-experimental study was performed. The study aims to analyze two methodologies, photography and wireless intraoral (IO) laser scanner, in the scope of the orofacial record in forensic pathology, highlighting their impact on human identification. The IO scanner i700 (Medit, Lusobionic, Portugal) and Canon 5D-Full Frame equipment were used to record the individual status, living patients (n = 5), and forensic cases (n = 5). IO and extraoral anatomical structures were recorded following six parameters: time, mineralized and soft detail, communication, extra devices, and distortion. The statistical analysis was performed in accordance with a scoring system and Mann-Whitney (P < 0.05) analysis. The photography method recorded extraoral data for all samples (score range between 15 and 23). The time elapsed to complete an IO scan in forensic cases was shorter than with photography, without requiring additional sources of light or mirror devices. Living patients and corpses identified statistically significant differences. It can be concluded that laser scanners are a valuable tool in the field of forensic pathology and can be used to record and analyze anatomic-morphological data for identification purposes accurately. Key points Human identification engages in orofacial details records.Photographic and laser scans record intraoral and extraoral anatomic structures.Forensic cases assessed by intraoral scanner technology are accurate and less time-consuming, optimizing the orofacial data for identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Nunes
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rita Ribeiro
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Pedro A Almiro
- Center for Research in Psychology, Autonomous University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rebeca Fontes
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Machado
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Abreu
- Clinical and Academic Centre of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Corte-Real
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Laboratory of Forensic Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Vilborn P, Bernitz H. A systematic review of 3D scanners and computer assisted analyzes of bite marks: searching for improved analysis methods during the Covid-19 pandemic. Int J Legal Med 2021; 136:209-217. [PMID: 34302214 PMCID: PMC8302460 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02667-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The global Covid-19 pandemic has forced forensic dentists to improve infection control methods. This search investigated the practical utilization of different 3D scanners to record and to analyze bite marks in the skin- and inanimate objects with this aim in mind. A systematic review of the literature using keywords like "human bite mark", "bite mark analyzes", "3D analyzes", "3D scanning", "forensic odontology", and "forensic dentistry" was performed in three scientific databases: MEDLINEOvid®, Pubmed® and Google Scholar. The initial search yielded 263 full-text articles, of which 15 were considered eligible and current within the last 10 years. 3D scanners and computer-assisted human bite mark analyzes showed potential advantages and can be effectively used in forensic odontology on skin and inanimate objects. These technologies minimize the number of people being exposed to pathogens, simplify the chain of evidence, facilitate immediate information exchange between the team members and enable the virtual presentation of the expert witnesses in a court of law.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piret Vilborn
- Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, PO Box 1266, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
| | - Herman Bernitz
- Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, PO Box 1266, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
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Fournier G, Savall F, Galibourg A, Gély L, Telmon N, Maret D. Three-dimensional analysis of bitemarks: A validation study using an intraoral scanner. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 309:110198. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Fournier G, Savall F, Nasr K, Telmon N, Maret D. Three-dimensional analysis of bitemarks using an intraoral scanner. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 301:1-5. [PMID: 31125816 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Conservation of the three-dimensional aspect of bitemarks is important to optimize their correct analysis. Bitemarks could be recorded with a surface scanner. In clinical dentistry, optical cameras are used as an alternative to conventional dental impressions. They scan the dental relief for prosthetic design. We propose a three-dimensional bitemark analysis protocol using an intraoral scanner. Eight volunteers bit on different materials: dental wax and hard cheese. Then, bitemarks and dentitions were scanned with the intraoral scanner. The scans obtained were exported into the mesh comparison software, CloudCompare®, which can automatically generate overlays. For this purpose, dentition were aligned and compared with indentations. The meshing and non-meshing areas were easily visualized using a colorimetric scale. This protocol made it possible to exclude incorrect dentitions in about twenty minutes. Moreover, dentitions corresponding to bitemarks all matched. In order to refine this protocol, it must be tested with morphologically close dentitions and on the skin as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Géromine Fournier
- Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, Université Paul Sabatier, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Toulouse, France.
| | - Frédéric Savall
- Service de Médecine Légale, Hôpital de Rangueil, Toulouse, France; Laboratoire Anthropologie Moléculaire et Imagerie de Synthèse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Karim Nasr
- Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, Université Paul Sabatier, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Toulouse, France
| | - Norbert Telmon
- Service de Médecine Légale, Hôpital de Rangueil, Toulouse, France; Laboratoire Anthropologie Moléculaire et Imagerie de Synthèse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Delphine Maret
- Faculté de Chirurgie Dentaire, Université Paul Sabatier, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Toulouse, France; Laboratoire Anthropologie Moléculaire et Imagerie de Synthèse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
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Application of 3D models of palatal rugae to personal identification: hints at identification from 3D-3D superimposition techniques. Int J Legal Med 2017; 132:1241-1245. [PMID: 29159511 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-017-1744-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Palatal rugae are known in literature as individualizing anatomical structures with a strong potential for personal identification. However, a 3D assessment of their uniqueness has not yet been performed. The present study aims at verifying the uniqueness of 3D models of the palate. Twenty-six subjects were recruited among the orthodontic patients of a private dental office; from every patient, at least two dental casts were taken in different time periods, for a total of 62 casts. Dental casts were digitized by a 3D laser scanner (iSeries, Dental Wings©, Montreal, Canada). The palatal area was identified, and a series of 250 superimpositions was then performed automatically through VAM©software in order to reach the minimum point-to point distance between two models. In 36 matches the models belonged to the same individual, whereas in 214 mismatches they came from different subjects. The RMS (root mean square) of point-to-point distances was then calculated by 3D software. Possible statistically significant differences were assessed through Mann-Whitney test (p < 0.05). Results showed a statistically significant difference in RMS mean point-to-point distance between matches (mean 0.26 mm; SD 0.12) and mismatches (mean 1.30; SD 0.44) (p < 0.0001).All matches reached an RMS value below 0.50 mm. This study first provided an assessment of uniqueness of palatal rugae, based on their anatomical 3D conformations, with consequent applications to personal identification.
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Rivera-Mendoza F, Martín-de-Las-Heras S, Navarro-Cáceres P, Fonseca GM. Bite Mark Analysis in Foodstuffs and Inanimate Objects and the Underlying Proofs for Validity and Judicial Acceptance. J Forensic Sci 2017; 63:449-459. [PMID: 28691774 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Even though one of the first bite mark cases was Doyle v. State in 1954 (a bitten cheese case), the research has focused on bite marks inflicted in human skin. As published Papers, Case Reports, or Technical Notes can constitute precedents which are relied upon in making the legal arguments and a considerable amount of case law exists in this area, we present a systematic review on bite mark analysis in foodstuffs and inanimate objects and their underlying proofs for validity and judicial acceptance according to Daubert rulings. Results showed that there is vulnerability in these procedures, and it is essential to demand for focus scrutiny on the known error rates when such evidence is presented in trials. These kinds of bite marks are well documented; however, there has been little research in this field knowing that the protocols of analysis and comparison are the responsibility of the forensic odontologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Rivera-Mendoza
- Faculty of Dentistry, Magister Program in Dentistry, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.,Faculty of Dentistry, Laboratory of Forensic Dentistry, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | | | - Pablo Navarro-Cáceres
- Faculty of Dentistry, Magister Program in Dentistry, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.,Faculty of Dentistry, CICO Research Centre in Dental Sciences, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Gabriel M Fonseca
- Faculty of Dentistry, Magister Program in Dentistry, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.,Faculty of Dentistry, Laboratory of Forensic Dentistry, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
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