Sex determination by amplification of amelogenin gene from dental pulp tissue by polymerase Chain Reaction

Cranial and Odontological Methods for Sex Estimation—A Scoping Review

The estimation of sex from osteological and dental records has long been an interdisciplinary field of dentistry, forensic medicine and anthropology alike, as it concerns all the above mentioned specialties. The aim of this article is to review the current literature regarding methods used for sex estimation based on the skull and the teeth, covering articles published between January 2015 and July 2022. New methods and new approaches to old methods are constantly emerging in this field, therefore resulting in the need to summarize the large amount of data available. Morphometric, morphologic and biochemical analysis were reviewed in living populations, autopsy cases and archaeological records. The cranial and odontological sex estimation methods are highly population-specific and there is a great need for these methods to be applied to and verified on more populations. Except for DNA analysis, which has a prediction accuracy of 100%, there is no other single method that can achieve such accuracy in predicting sex from cranial or odontological records.

Tooth as a Source of DNA in Forensic or Investigative Genetics: An Overview

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the genetic code of most organisms including humans. In the last few years, DNA analysis methods are applied to forensic cases for human identification which is termed forensic or investigative genetics. It is often challenging to obtain and interpret DNA from routine samples like blood in severely decomposed or disfigured bodies recovered from incineration, immersion, trauma, mutilation, and decomposition as in incidents of fire, explosion, or murder. The tooth can survive any extreme environment with minimum risk of contamination making it a valuable alternative source of DNA in such cases. Tooth structures like the enamel (amelogenin protein), dentin, cementum, pulp, and adherent tissues like bone and periodontal fibers are sources from which DNA can be obtained. Various methods have been described for DNA extraction. There are numerous applications of DNA analysis like identification of the deceased or missing victim or the unknown culprit from a crime scene, solving paternity issues, determining the occurrence of any genetic disease, and determining the ancestry. This article briefly summarizes an overview of the tooth as a valuable DNA source and various methods and challenges related to DNA analysis.

Molecular analysis for sex determination in forensic dentistry: a systematic review

Background

Sex determination can be useful in forensic casework, such as in mass disasters, transportation accidents, and cases of a missing person or sexual assault. The remnants of the body can be traced by DNA of the victim, using samples from various sources such as teeth, oral epithelial tissue, and saliva.

Main body

The review aimed to describe research in forensic dentistry with DNA source from the oral region and methods of the applied DNA analysis. A search in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus electronic databases from 2009 to 2019 was conducted to include studies according to PRISMA guidelines. Ten studies were eligible for the review. Genetic markers originated from dentin, dental pulp, saliva, or epithelial cells from buccal tissue and prosthesis. The applied DNA analysis methods were PCR, real-time PCR, and nested PCR.

Conclusions

The published articles mostly showed successful DNA extraction and sex determination, but the rate of success declined as the sample source underwent manipulation to mimic the forensic conditions. Amelogenin, SRY, and DYS14 were reliable indicators for sex determination. Molecular analysis has proved to be efficient and accurate, but the daily forensic practice must select the most appropriate method according to the available body remnants.