Ameloglyphics: A Forensic Tool for Human Identification

Crime rates in our contemporary technological age have been rising at an alarming pace. Newer methods are needed to determine who the perpetrator and victim are in these situations. By comparing a person's recorded information with their own unique characteristics, automated biometric systems may determine who they are. Biometric identifiers like fingerprint and iris scanning are among the most reliable ways. Due to the vulnerability of soft tissues, these procedures cannot be depended on in the event of widespread calamities such as fires or gas leaks. Therefore, improved individual identification necessitates a biometric system based on the hard tissue. Thus, ameloglyphics was created to serve as a key tool in forensic odontology, particularly in the case of huge fatalities caused by natural catastrophes.

Forensic Odontological Parameters as Biometric Tool: A Review

Human identification by virtue of dental identification is on the increase in the past few years and has served as a major adjunct in the identification process. The science associated with the dealing of evidences from dental, oral, and paraoral structures—Forensic Odontology, is a boon in itself. It has been seen that the role of forensic odontology has increased as most of the times teeth and other orally associated structures remain the only means of identification in the worst of scenarios where the conventional biometrics such as fingerprint, iris scan, palm print, etc., may be lost and are therefore not reliable enough to resolve the purpose of identification. There are various important aspects in forensic odontology which are associated with the study of tooth prints, i.e., ameloglyphics, radiographs, the study of palatal rugae patterns, i.e., rugoscopy, cheiloscopy, i.e., the study of lip patterns, tongue prints which can serve as an important biometric tool to aid in the human identification process. Dental biometrics helps to determine several parameters that serve in the interest of forensics such as type of specimen, population affinity, sex, age, stature, race, and various other individualization factors. So, comparative dental identifications with the help of a biometric recognition system will play a major role in identifying deceased individuals in disasters, crimes, or any other mass tragedies.

How to cite this article: Kaul B, Vaid V, Gupta S, et al. Forensic Odontological Parameters as Biometric Tool: A Review. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(3):416–419.

Scanning Electron Microscope Corroboration of Ameloglyphics - A New Tool in Forensic Odontology

Background:

Human teeth resist decomposition to the maximum and has immense potential to serve as hard-tissue counterpart to dermatoglyphics in forensic odontology. Ameloglyphics is the science of recording and analyzing the tooth print.

Aims and Objectives:

To assess the scope of viability, reproducibility, and identification of enamel prints (akin to fingerprints) and their patterns as a tool for identification. To establish that expression of enamel prints is a direct result of the enamel rod configuration on the surface of the crown as detected by scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Materials and Methods:

The teeth samples (n = 10) were first analyzed through (SEM) and the image of the arrangement of rods on the surface was captured. Enamel prints were registered in a standard procedure by virtue of ink transfer on a cellophane tape from etched tooth enamel surface of the same samples. These prints and SEM images were subjected to Rapid Sizer^® image editing software to obtain a pattern (sketched outline image software). Patterns were identified manually.

Results:

Reproducibility, specificity, and feasibility of the above procedure were determined. There appeared to be a high rate of reproducibility (98%–100%) and specificity (100%). The paraphernalia required as well as the technique entrenched were feasible. Furthermore, the SEM analysis established the viability and reliability.

Conclusion:

Ameloglyphics is a sensitive and reproducible scientific tool that can be utilized for the management, examination, and evaluation of dental evidence for identification at crime scene and disaster sites. Its importance vis-a-vis fingerprints cannot be understated, especially in view of the seeming indestructibility of the enamel.

Are Tooth Prints a Hard Tissue Equivalence of Finger Print in Mass Disaster: A Rationalized Review

Personal identification methods may not be efficient when bodies are decomposed, burned, in cases of mass disasters when soft tissue cannot provide reliable information or has been lost. Various methods currently employed in forensic odontology for personal identification include comparing with antemortem dental charts, rugoscopy, denture labeling, DNA analysis from dental pulp, bite mark analysis, etc., Recently, there is growing interest in the study of enamel rod end patterns. These enamel rod end patterns are termed as “Tooth prints” and the study of these prints is known as “Ameloglyphics” (amelo: Enamel, Glyphics: Carvings). This review encompasses about the basis of using enamel rod end patterns, methods of obtaining the patterns and further suggests these tooth prints as an analogy to finger print in personal identification in mass disasters.

Ameloglyphics: A possible forensic tool for person identification following high temperature and acid exposure

INTRODUCTION

Forensic odontology is a branch that is evolving over time and has opened newer avenues that may help in the identification of individuals. Tooth prints are the enamel rod end patterns on tooth surface and they are considered as a hard tissue analog to fingerprints. Teeth have the highest resistance to most environmental effects like fire, desiccation, and decomposition, and may be used as a forensic evidence.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to evaluate if the tooth prints could be used for an individual's identification and reproducibility and permanency of these tooth prints after exposing the teeth to acid and various degrees of temperature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

90 tooth prints from 20 freshly extracted maxillary premolar teeth were obtained. Cellophane tape technique was used to record enamel rod end patterns on tooth surface. Ten teeth (one from each patient) were immersed in 36.46% hydrochloric acid and the tooth prints were obtained at various intervals (5 min, 10 min, and 20 min). The other 10 teeth (one from each patient) were incinerated and impression was made at various intervals (80° C, 400° C, 600° C, and 750° C). Tooth prints obtained from different teeth (total of 90 tooth prints) were analyzed using Verifinger® standard SDK version 5.0 software.

RESULTS

All the 20 original tooth prints were distinct from each other and no inter-individual or intra-individual similarity was found. The tooth prints from the same tooth after it was exposed to acid or heat were reproducible and showed high to very high similarity with the original tooth print of that particular tooth stored in the database.

CONCLUSION

Tooth prints may be used as an effective aid in person identification even in adverse conditions such as burn and acid attack injuries.

Ameloglyphics and predilection of dental caries

Background:

Dental caries is an infectious disease of microbiologic origin resulting in destruction and loss of tooth structure and is related to every speciality of dentistry. Many studies have been carried out to identify the causative factors, methods of prevention, and treatment of dental caries. Ameloglyphics is the study of enamel rod end patterns. These patterns have been found to be unique to individual teeth of the same individual and also to different individuals. A possible correlation between the type of enamel rod end pattern and the occurrence of dental caries might help in predicting caries susceptibility of an individual and implementation of preventive measures. This is a simple and easy method cutting short elaborate methods currently in use and can be invaluable in caries prevention.

Objective:

This study is aimed at ascertaining the possibility of a correlation between enamel rod end patterns and occurrence of dental caries, which might help in identifying predisposition to dental caries.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty carious and 30 noncarious teeth were used to obtain enamel rod end patterns. Occurrence of any particular pattern in either of the study groups, which might affect the predisposition of teeth to dental caries was analyzed.

Results:

No particular rod end pattern was found in teeth affected by dental caries. Also, no particular pattern was found to be unique to teeth not affected by dental caries.

Efficacy of various materials in recording enamel rod endings on tooth surface for personal identification

AIM

To analyze efficacy of cellulose acetate film, cellophane tape, and light body impression material in recording enamel rod endings on tooth surface for personal identification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Surface enamel rod endings of 30 extracted teeth were recorded from the same area of the same tooth for two times using cellulose acetate film, cellophane tape, and light body impression material. Photomicrographs of enamel rod endings were taken and subjected to Verifinger standard SDK version 5.0 software for analysis. Minutiae scores of all enamel rod end patterns obtained using these three imprint materials were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

Cellulose acetate film imprint showed complete enamel rod end patterns and the software was able to identify the particular tooth with the same previous identification number in subsequent recordings as well. Cellophane tape and light body rubber-base impression material imprint showed incomplete enamel rod end patterns and the software failed to identify the particular tooth with the same previous identification number in subsequent recordings. Statistical analysis revealed that cellulose acetate film recorded more number of minutiae points compared with the other imprint materials.

CONCLUSION

Cellulose acetate film is a reliable material for recording enamel rod endings on tooth surface for personal identification compared with cellophane tape and light body rubber-base impression material.