3D bio-printing involves directly depositing a mixture of high-density living cells and a bio-ink is printed out in an overlapping process by the 3D bio-printer, which is under the design and control of computer. The term bioprinting describes the simultaneous positioning of biomaterials and living cells in a prescribed layer by layer stacking organization to create engineered tissue and organs. The process of Freeform Reversible Embedding of Suspended Hydrogels (FRESH) is a printing method that extrudes bio inks into a yield-stress support bath that holds the bio inks in place until they cure. In-situ 3D bioprinting is a kind of bio-printing which is directly printed onto or into the damaged tissue or organ. This review specifically focuses the current development of FRESH bioprinting and in situ bioprinting and the various challenges and legal considerations in this field.
Background: Gender determination becomes the first priority in process of identification of a person by a forensic investigator in case of mass disaster, crime investigations, and ethnic studies. Demonstration of nuclear sex plays a vital role in determining the gender of an individual. Barr bodies (BB) are known to arise from the inactivation of the X chromosome in a female somatic cell. They are basophilic structures with varying morphology measuring approximately 0.8 × 1.1 microns in the nucleus during interphase. Various nuclear stains such as Thionine, Papanicolaou, Feulgen, Cresyl-violet, Giemsa, Aceto-orcein, and acridine orange & Routine stains can validate Barr bodies. Aim To evaluate the efficacy of Feulgen, Giemsa, and H&E stains in the demonstration of Barr bodies. Materials And Method Buccal smears were prepared from 25 males & 25 females. These smears were stained by Feulgen, Giemsa & Routine staining methods. The Barr body identification was determined by the presence of a darkly stained condensed area on nucleoplasm. The frequency of Barr body was examined by observing 100 nuclei per smear under a binocular light microscope at 100 magnification. For all BB-positive cases, Barr Body Index(BBI) was calculated and compared for the different stains used. Result Buccal cytological smears stained with Feulgen, Giemsa, and Routine stains. Samples with a presence of Barr bodies ≤2 were recorded as male and those with >2 were recorded as female under microscopic findings. The percentage of Barr bodies in Feulgen-stained slides ranged from 30.2 - 37.9 among females and 0 - 0.1 in males, Giemsa slides ranged 14.2 - 22.2 from among females and 0 - 0.3 in males, while with Routine stained slides ranges recorded were10.2 - 14.9 in females and 0 - 0.5 in males. The sensitivity of Feulgen, Giemsa, and Routine stain for detecting sex accurately was 100% and specificity was 100%, 98%, and 94% respectively. Conclusion Feulgen stain proved to be better than Giemsa and routine stain for visualizing Barr Bodies.
Introduction: Sexual dimorphism is one of the most important implications in forensic investigations and anthropological studies. Teeth are becoming a good source of material for gender determination. The canine is the most preferred tooth for gender determination because the canine is the strongest tooth in the oral cavity. Objectives: To investigate sexual dimorphism in permanent mandibular and maxillary canines of a Sri Lankan Sinhalese population, and to ascertain the most suitable dimension (labiolingual, mesiodistal and crown height) to determine the sex of an individual. Materials & Methods : The study was conducted using 384 dental casts (Males 192, Females 192) aged between 18 and 25 years in a sample of the Sri Lankan population. According to a selection criterion, casts were selected using a convenient random sampling technique. Mesio-distal, Bucco-lingual and Crown height of all the canines in the casts were measured using a digital vernier caliper accurate to 0.01 mm. Results : Statistical analysis was performed using Minitab 17 and SPSS (Version 21). Unpaired sample t-test, paired sample t-test and point-biserial correlation were used for data analysis. The present study revealed that males show larger mean dimensions of canine teeth than females. Out of all four canines, mandibular canines show highly consistent results for sexual dimorphism. Further, crown height is the best measurement to evaluate sexual dimorphism. Conclusion : It can be concluded that out of all the four canines, mandibular canines show highly consistent results for sexual dimorphism. Moreover, crown height is the best measurement to evaluate sexual dimorphism, in identifying an unknown .
The dentist who lacks exposure in handling and solving real-life forensic odontology cases but speaks on the subject as an expert in the field is an ‘Armchair Forensic Odontologist’. Such dentists may have relatively good theoretical knowledge of forensic dentistry but lack real-world case exposure. Since such dentists have not actually handled a single police case, it precludes them from being a specialist in the field. Consequently, they can severely undermine case analysis and training in forensic odontology. To mitigate the problem, the Dental KM minimum requirements for institutions organising courses in forensic odontology. Institutions imparting programmes in forensic dentistry must also ensure they have a tie up with law enforcement for a steady flow of cases and employ only certified and experienced specialists and trainers. Prospective students must be vigilant and do appropriate homework on what the better institutions are, and who the experienced forensic odontologists are to study under
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of Demirjian’s method for dental age assessment in a group of South Indian population and to develop an age-predictive equation suitable for the studied group. Subjects and methods: In this retrospective, blind, cross-sectional study, 120 Digital Orthopantomograms were selected from the archived medical files of patients attending Dental College and evaluated to estimate dental age. Results: Age was over estimated for almost all of the studied subjects with an accuracy range from 0.18 to 1.19 years for males and from 0.08 to 0.87 years for females, with the exception of two age subgroups Conclusion: Demirjian’s method is very useful and suitable for the South Indian population. The development of a prediction equation and the introduction of adaptable conversion tables to transform the maturity score into a dental age for the South Indian population with population-specific samples may be suitable alternatives.
A supernumerary tooth is an odonto-stomatologic anomaly which is characterized by an excess number of teeth that are present compared to what is expected in the normal dentition. The prevalence rates of supernumerary teeth, reported in literature, varybetween 0.1% to 3.8% of the general population, and are seen more commonly in the permanent dentition. Due to this rarity,supernumerary teeth can be a useful tool in forensic odontology particularly focusing on identification and sorting of individuals both clinically and radiological assessment in forensic evaluation.
Introduction: Forensic odontology has an important role in crime investigation. Dentistry has much to offer law enforcement in the detection and solution of crime or in civil proceedings. Indeed, nursing is considered as a noble profession owing to the care and sympathy with greater understanding for all human beings regardless of any dissonances. They are being called the bulwark of healthcare profession becoming a significant connecting link between the victims and forensic odontologists. So, forensic dental fieldwork requires an interdisciplinary knowledge of dental sciences. Aim: To analyse the knowledge and attitude towards forensic odontology among nursing students and nursing staff. Materials & Method: A questionnaire based cross-sectional survey using google forms was conducted among nursing students and nursing staff. The questions assessed their knowledge and attitude towards forensic odontology. Results: In this study, 83.7% participants were interested in formal training in the field of forensic odontology. Also 57.7% help doctors in maintaining dental records of their patients. About 52.6% agreed that like thumbprint we can use tongue print for identification of an individual.69.9% knew that DNA analysis can be done using teeth. Overall, 89.1% were interested to participate in workshops and seminars on forensic odontology. Conclusion: Forensic odontology requires interdisciplinary knowledge of dental science. A questionnaire was circulated among 256 nursing students and staff. In which Nursing Students had inadequate knowledge and awareness 47.7% and 43.6% and Nursing Staff 52.3% and 56.4% respectively. This survey showed that nursing students and staff are interested in attending formal training in Forensic Odontology.
Background : Age estimation is an important factor in forensic science for human identifcation. Teeth resist decomposition at death unlike other tissues. The gradual structural changes that take place throughout the life have made teeth useful indicators for age estimation.Cemental annulation is a microscopic method for the determination of age based on the analysis of incremental lines of cementum. Light microscopy as well as specialized microscopic techniques have been employed to enhance the assessment of the cemental annulations. Aim : To estimate age with cemental incremental lines in human teeth using phase contrast and stereomicroscope. Materials and methods : A total of 51 normal teeth were included in the study (sound teeth without any associated pathologies). Longitudinal ground sections were observed under phase contrast microscope and stereomicroscope. The number of incremental lines in the total cementum width was calculated with thefollowing formula: Number of incremental lines (n) = X/Y where X is the total width of cementum (from DCJ to cementum surface) and Y is the width of cementum between the two incremental lines. Estimated age (E) = number of incremental lines (n) + eruption age of tooth (t) Results : The measurements obtained were subjected to statistical analysis for age estimation. Statistically significant results were obtained with phase contrast microscope as compared to stereo microscope. Conclusion : Age estimation by cemental annulation using phase contrast microscope is a reliable method and can be easily applied in forensic odontology.
Introduction: In gender determination, facial skeletal components play a major role in forensic and anthropological fields. Skull is considered second best, after pelvis, in determination of sex. Mandible is the strongest bone in the body and most dimorphic bone of the skull that often recovered intact. Aims: The purpose of the present study was to measure, compare and evaluate the mandibular parameters gonial angle and relative position of the mental foramen as sex predictors in an Eastern Indian population. Material and methods: Panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalograms of the sampled patients were analysed for relative position of mental foramen and gonial angle respectively. This cross-sectionalretrospective study was carried out utilizing radiographs of 100 patients (58 females and 42males) between age 18-44 years. A total of 5 measurements were evaluated for sex differences and the results were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Our study found that females showed statistically significant higher gonial angle values than males whereas the values of linear measurements of mental foramen were found to be higher in males than females. Conclusion: The assessment of mandibular morphology through radiographic measurements suggest that gonial angle and mental foramen parameters exhibit significant gender dimorphism and it is a reliable indicator in estimating an individual’s gender when comparing to a known population standard.
Introduction: Sex determination plays an important role in forensics. On average, males possess larger tooth crowns than females in contemporary human populations, although the degree of dimorphism varies within different populations. Ground sectioning of teeth can provide an accurate measurement of enamel and dentinal thickness and can be used for gender determination in forensic analysis. Aim: The main aim of this study is to evaluate sexual dimorphism in human premolars using longitudinal ground sections. Materials & Method: In this study extracted premolar teeth of males and females were taken. Longitudinal ground sectioning of these teeth was made and later examined under light microscope under customized grids. Results: Data was statistically analyzed and results were tabulated. It was found that enamel area and average enamel thickness was higher in females than males and coronal dentinal areas were more in males. Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that the differences in crown morphology among males and females can be used as a potential tool in forensic analysis.
ABSTRACT:INTRODUCTION: Barr body is of the X chromosomes formed from random inactivation and condensation of one of the two female chromosomes in virtually all the somatic cells of female mammalsAIM: The study aimed to compare the specificity, sensitivity and reliability of May Grunwald-Giemsa (MGG), Carbol fuchsin (CF) and Van Geison (VG) stain in identifying barr bodies in buccal mucosal smears.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective single blinded cohort study was conducted on buccal mucosal smears obtained from 30 subjects. The study subjects was divided into group I and group II consisting of 15 females and 15 males in each group respectively following obtainment of informed consent. All the buccal mucosal smears were processed accordingly as described by Ayyad S B et al (2012), Meena N et al (2016) and Wadsworth A et al (2012) for May Grunwald-Giemsa stain, Carbol fuchsin stain and Van Geison stain. The barr bodies identification was determined by the presence of a darkly stained condensed area on the nucleoplasm as described by Balderman S et al.RESULTS: The results thus obtained showed that CF had a better BBI compared to MGG and VG and the statistical analysis showed 100% specificity, sensitivity and reliability in all the three stains in identifying barr bodies. Barr body was found to be negative in the male samples and positive for female samples with Carbol fuschin yielding 9.8% of Bar Body Index (BBI), May Grunwald-Giemsa yielding 5.4% and Van Geison yielding 2.8%.CONCLUSION: On comparison, the efficacy and accuracy for detection of Barr bodies were more with Carbol fuschin following May Grunwald-Giemsa and Van Geison.
Background: Denture marking not only aids in the recovery of lost dentures, but it also aids in theidentification of the suspected deceased person. Many forensic experts have recommended thatidentity markers to be included in all dentures during their fabrication so that they can be used forforensic human identification in the event of a disaster.ObjectivesThe study aims to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of the dentur emarking system among dental practitioners of Nepal.MethodsA pre tested, self administered anonymous questionnaire consisting of 9 close endedquestions was mailed to the participants. A total of 133 responses were recorded.ResultsAccording to the findings, 54.9% of the participants were aware of the denture markingsystem. The majority of the participants felt that denture marking is a valuable procedure that isfrequently overlooked by Nepalese dentists. The majority of Nepalese dental professiona ls wereaware of the forensic use of denture marking systems and how to use them. They also agreed thatit should be included in undergraduate courses. While the majority of the participants disagreedthat denture marking is a costly and common technique w hose worth is recognized by the generalpublic.ConclusionsBased on the findings of this study, measures to raise awareness and updateknowledge and skills on denture marking among Nepalese dental practitioners should bedeveloped.
Introduction: Forensic expertise, including dental identification and expertise in civil litigation cases related to dental malpractice and injuries mostly count on dental records. Comparison of dental data obtained from the deceased person with dental data obtained by the dentist from the person’s file is a primary method of identification through dental evidence. Material and Methodology: In all, 180 dentists participated in an online survey. Questions covered general information on dentists, maintenance of dental records, and knowledge of legal requirements and forensic odontology. Results: 66.6% of dentists said that they update patient's data on every visit. 86.6% of dentists were aware of the use of Dental records in Forensic Odontology. 89.9% of dentists were not aware of how they should present the data when asked by the legal authority whereas only 10.1% of Dentists were aware of how they are supposed to provide the data. The percentage of dentists who knew how long are they legally mandated to keep patient records showed a significant difference (p<0.05) between Bachelors of Dental Surgery (BDS) and Masters of Dental Surgery (MDS) practitioners. Conclusion: Dentists being aware of forensic odontology, still lack the information about the legal aspects of it. Forensic odontology should be included in the curriculum as a separate subject to improve knowledge at the grassroots level. The focus should also be improved towards raising the awareness among private practitioners regarding the practical aspect of forensic odontology.
Forensic odontology is a branch of dentistry which deals with proper handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidence, with proper presentation of dental findings in the interest of justice. Tooth is the hardest tissue in the body and is most resistant to post-mortem deterioration. Dental pattern for each individual is distinct and helps in identification of victims during mass disasters, abuse and crimes. Conventional methods used in identification are dental record maintenance, dental imaging, bite marks analysis, Cheiloscopy and Rugoscopy. In addition, recent concepts have been introduced such as facial reconstruction, denture identification, DNA profiling, tongue prints and comparison microscopy. DNA analysis is a technique which involves DNA which is either mitochondrial DNA or genomic DNA.The common methods used in DNA analysis are PCR, restrictions fragments length polymorphism method, short tandem repeats typing, etc.
The Importance of promoting Human Rights in the Recovery and Identification of Missing and Unidentified persons was presented at 9th International Dental Ethics and Law Society (IDEALS) congress in 2012 and was first introduced in May 2013 at the annual meeting of the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) conference organized by Interpol in Lyon. Dr. Emilio Nuzzolese, participating odontologist of the Interpol Forensic Odontology working group, highlighted the need to apply the highest identification standards and Interpol guidelines to all unidentified human remains, equally in a DVI scenario as well as in a single missing and unidentified person. In 2015 these concepts also inspired the creation of an international group of odontologists from twelve Countries called ‘Forensic Odontology for Human Rights’. The group began promoting the need to protect the human rights of the dead to have a name and an identity by participating in conferences and meetings, and through publications and training at most international forensic events. The mentoring of colleagues with the goal of promoting an authentic involvement of forensic odontology in the identification process was also instigated. The continuous growth of the group, along with the need to involve forensic experts from other disciplines, led to the constitution of the Association Forensic Odontology for Human Rights (AFOHR) and the inauguration of humanitarian forensic odontology. Having become a recognized voluntary organization in the context of humanitarian forensics, in 2019 AFOHR board members discussed the steps needed to achieve the rights of having a date of birth and an identity for every deceased individual. Eight forensic odontology sustainable goals were approved: human rights of the dead; human identification action; international partnership; human forensic odontology; strong forensic odontology; human identification kit; quality age determination; dental evidence in crimes against vulnerable persons. Under the auspices of AFOHR that aim is to inspire colleagues and forensic associations to the best administration of Justice for best practices in human identification and age estimation.
Background : Palatal rugae appear in the 3rd month of intrauterine life around six different types of rugae patterns have been recognized at present, which might have a potential implication in human identification. Aim : The aim of this study is to determine the association between dental caries and palatal rugae pattern among the general population. Materials and Methodology : A cross‑sectional study was conducted among n = 230, out patients reporting to Asan Memorial Dental College and Hospital. Palatal rugae identification was done using photographs. Canon EoS 60D digital single‑lens reflex camera with a 100 mm macro lens was used along with retractors and dental mirrors for identification of the rugae pattern and decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) scoring was done for recording dental caries. Results : The number of rugae varies across gender (P < 0.05) and caries‑free individuals had higher number of rugae than individuals with DMFT >1 (P < 0.05 – statistically significant). Conclusion : Rugoscopy can be used as a screening method to provide adequate preventive treatment by showing the higher risk of caries detection.
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the most reliable method to provide consistent results in age estimation in patients with mild-to-moderate hypodontia.Material and Methods: A total of 126 patients (78 girls, 48 boys) with mild-to-moderate hypodontia were separated into 2 groups according to the severity of hypodontia considering similar age and sex distribution. A control group was formed of 126 age and sex-matched patients with complete dentition. The formation stages of permanent teeth on panoramic radiographs were evaluated according to the 12-stage classification of Haavikko, and the 8-stage classification of Demirjian et al. For dental age calculation, these stages were scored according to datasets provided by Haavikko, Demirjian et al. and Willems et al.Results: Agreement between dental age and chronological age was examined using the Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Sex did not significantly affect the difference between the methods (p=0.435; p=0.591). Calculated dental age according to the different methods showed significantly differences according to the study groups (p (group*method) =0.003; p (group*method) =0.008). In all the groups, excellent agreement levels were obtained using the Haavikko method (ICC≥0.90).Conclusions: The Haavikko method was detected as more reliable in healthy Turkish children and children with mild-to-moderate hypodontia than the Demirjian and Willems methods.
Background: Palatal rugae pattern is reasonably unique to an individual and remain stable throughout lifetime. It can serve as an important tool in forensic identification particularly when other regular methods of identification become difficult.Aim: To evaluate the palatal rugae pattern between both gender in terms of Number, Shapes and Length on right and left sides among different age groups.Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study comprising of 60 patients which were divided into four groups according to their age. Each of the four groups consisted of 15 participants of whom 30 were males and 30 were females. All the patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly selected and alginate impressions of the hard palate were taken and casted by dental stone. The data were assessed based on the Thomas and Kotze classification (1983) and the rugae patterns were delineated using sharp graphite pencil under adequate light and were analysed macroscopically.Statistical analysis: The obtained values were analysed using Student’s t- test for evaluation of gender difference in rugae patterns and ANOVA was applied for determination of age groups using SPSS version 20.0 software.Results: Palatal rugae of right side showed higher prevalence and curved rugae in females than in males and the finding is statistically significant. The mean number of rugae showed a slight decreasing trend with increasing age with more curved rugae and size of the palatal rugae is slightly increased up till the middle age group, as growth ceases thereafter.Conclusion: The present study reveals significant gender and age difference in palatal rugae pattern. Thus, palatal rugae appear to possess features of an ideal forensic identification parameters such as uniqueness, postmortem resistance and stability, provided antemortem record exists.
Forensic dentistry is the handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidence in criminal justice cases. Palatoscopy or rugoscopy is gaining importance in forensic dentistry due to many reasons, the most important being that the rugae are well protected in the oral cavity by the cheeks and arches. Rugae are found to be individualistic just like dermatoglyphics. The third most important factor being that they are easy to record. This article deals with the various classification, methods of recording and the clinical implication of rugoscopy in forensic dentistry.
Bitemarks are patterned injuries caused by teeth in conjunction with other oral structures that are used as evidence in forensic investigations. Its characteristics vary from person to person, even in identical twins. By matching the existing bitemark with the suspect's bitemark, the unique dentition of each individual becomes the scientific basis for identifying bitemarks. Because bitemark proof on human skin and food is transient, it should be immediately recorded or duplicated to retrieve lasting proof, allowing for a longer time of examination, which 3D bitemark analysis can do. However, the currently available method with an intraoral scanner (IOS) necessitates the purchase of expensive specialized equipment that may not be readily available everywhere. The use of a smartphone camera on a monoscopic photogrammetry method could lead to a novel method of 3D bitemark
