All human beings occupying this globe belong to the same species i.e., homosapiens. No two persons are ever alike in all their measurable characters, and the latter tends to undergo changes in varying degrees from birth to death, in health and diseases, and since persons living under different conditions, and members of different ethnic groups frequently present interesting differences in bodily form and proportions1. In a forensic context, among the information potentially collected from human remains, estimated stature can be an important feature to be added to the criteria, helping to narrow the search for missing person’s data2. Stature is the height of a person in the upright posture and has a definite and proportional biological relationship with each and every part of the human body i.e., head, face, trunk and extremities3. This relationship helps a forensic scientist to calculate stature from dismembered and mutilated body parts during forensic examinations and thus aids in narrowing down the investigation process by providing useful clues to the investigation agencies. The dental arch has many variables which makes it almost impossible for two people to have identical tooth features4. Teeth are special in cases of identification of the deceased since they can resist the effect of time, are resistant to fire and trauma and can also provide information on species, race, gender, age, height and individual characteristics. Teeth have also added the advantage of standard anatomical landmarks which are easy to locate5. The literature however is lacking in that the derivation of the height from an odontometric parameter has not been explored adequately. Carrea conducted studies to estimate height, based on the fact that there is proportionality between the diameter of the teeth and body height and used it to estimate height from the dimensions of the anterior mandibular teeth. Using the measured dimensions of the arch and chord the upper and lower range of the height estimates are derived6. Similar studies conducted by Silva, Sampaio, Cavalcanti & Rekhi have verified this fact4, 7–11. Looking at the scarcity of studies pertaining to the estimation of stature from dental dimensions in the Indian scenario, the present study has ventured to provide anthropometric relationships of dimensions of certain teeth with stature based on the Carrea’s index (Modified)12 and to test the validity between two populations of India and to determine if there are sex-wise differences in success rates amongst both the population of India with the statistical aid of regression analysis of the variables obtained.
Introduction: Various guidelines for age estimation based on scientific evidence have been developed by expert groups and bodies internationally. In Uganda, the guidelines and methods being used to estimate the age of juveniles undergoing judicial proceedings are not known. Aim: This study explored the practices and perceptions of the health professionals working with the police towards age estimation for juveniles undergoing criminal proceedings in Uganda. Methods: It was a qualitative study using key informant interviews. Seventeen health professionals working in private clinics and general government hospitals linked to the police were purposively selected. Data were collected using a key informant interview, which allowed the participants to express their views and perceptions concerning the different aspects of the age estimation process. The information gathered focused on the methods used to estimate age and their appropriateness, particularly based on the third molar eruption. The data were analysed using thematic content analysis methodology. Results: It was found that the current practice of age estimation in the country does not fully adapt to international standards and that there are variations among the users. Conclusion: The standardisation of age estimation methods is urgently needed in the country through the use of a multidisciplinary approach and an emphasis on combining methods in order to increase accuracy.
Background: The importance of frontal sinuses in Forensic Radiology has been well documented. Literature revealed few studies on the morphometric analysis of frontal sinuses on paranasal radiographs in sex determination. This initiated this radiographic study with the aim of analysing the dimensions of the frontal sinuses through digital PNS radiographs for gender determination. Materials and Methods: The study group comprised 150 healthy adults of either gender over the age of 20 years. One paranasal sinus radiograph was made for each patient using the standardized radiographic technique. Digital measurements of the height, width and area of the frontal sinuses were recorded using AutoCAD 2014 software. The data collected was subjected to statistical analysis. Results: This study found an accuracy rate of 68.6% for sex determination through paranasal sinus radiographs. It was noted that the right height of the frontal sinus was a better predictor than any other parameter assessed for identifying the gender. Conclusion: From the present study, we conclude that the dimensions of frontal sinuses on PNS views can be used as an essential tool for gender determination in forensic sciences.
1Intern, I.T.S Centre for Dental Studies and Research, Murad Nagar, Ghaizabad – 201206, Uttar Pradesh. India; shreegoyal3@gmail.com, rishabhchaudhary4457@gmail.com 2Reader, Department of Oral Pathology, I.T.S Centre for Dental Studies and Research, Murad Nagar, Ghaizabad – 201206, Uttar Pradesh. India; drsaurabhjuneja@gmail.com 3Professor and Head, Department of Oral Pathology, I.T.S Centre for Dental Studies and Research, Murad Nagar, Ghaizabad – 201206, Uttar Pradesh, India; shettydivya76@gmail.com
DNA profiling, commonly called DNA fingerprinting or DNA testing, has a wide range of uses, including assisting in criminal cases and wildlife conservation. The firm tissues of the teeth are resistant to external events such as decomposition, bruise, and incineration. Pulp tissue provides a rich DNA source. The review focuses on the various DNA Collection Procedures, the different techniques employed in DNA isolation and amplification. There are a numerous DNA Profiling or Typing systems such as Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis, Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism, Y chromosome analysis, Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) typing , Short Tandem Repeat (STR) typing, Gender typing, X-chromosome STR Typing. DNA fingerprinting has been applied to solve many cases. Although present DNA analysis techniques are fairly specialized, several upcoming simplifications may increase their simplicity of use.
