Authors
Dr. Neelkamal Ganesh, Dr. Swati Kanojia, Dr. Pankti Patel
Abstract
Forensic Odontology provides valuable secondary support for identification. In few cases when some of the hard and soft tissues are destroyed, carbonized, charred or absent, other teeth and bones become the only mode of identification. Every individual person’s smile has unique characteristics and it has found wide acceptance all over the world. Identification of humans through smiles is a time saving, less tedious and economical way. The photographs while autopsy of smile are used for comparison of AM and PM images. The objective is to analyze the aspect of the smile through photographs in the forensic odontology field, its significant use and the possible advancements of the same in near future. Keywords: Forensic Odontology, Smile Photographs, Selfie, Human Identification, Skull Photo Superimposition.
Introduction
Forensic Odontology itself is a less explored path in India and the technique of Smile Photograph analysis is at its blooming stage. The smile Photograph that show specific characteristic of each individual has found wide acceptance.
Methodology
The methods are as stated below:
1. Scoring Method
In scoring method each tooth is outlined and then matched with the tooth on deceased and scored 0 to 2, 0 for non-valuable portion, 1 for compatibility and 2 for significant correspondence.
Demerit is that attributing score would involve a degree of subjectivity i.e. vary from one individual to other.
2. Smile Line Method
The smile line is traced on AM and PM photographs, highlighting the incisal outline from right canine to left canine of maxillary teeth. The two outlines are superimposed with layers of gradual transparency 0% 25% 75% 100%, if they coincide there are chances they belong to same individual.
However it is an indefinite method and not accurate and cannot be solely used for identification (Miranda et al., 2016)
3. Template Method
Template method is usually used by orthodontists for smile correction, however for Odontologist it may be used as reference template and the biometric measurements of each teeth can be recorded and studied.
Demerit is understanding the sequence is tedious and it requires frontal view AM photographs. (Silva et al., 2012)
4. Super Imposition Technique
Here we superimpose the ante mortem and post mortem images gradually by layering technique increasing the transparency. However slight change in magnification of either AM or PM Photograph may lead to discrepancy.
But the discrepancies in each method can be solved by combined aid of multiple techniques.The advantage is that these methods are highly reliable, less expensive and consume less time. (Miranda et al., 2016)
References
Miranda, Geraldo Elias, et al. “An Unusual Method of Forensic Human Identification: Use of Selfie Photographs.” Forensic Science International, vol. 263, 2016, pp. e14–17.
Nuzzolese, Emilio, et al. “Selfie Identification App as a Forensic Tool for Missing and Unidentified Persons.” Journal of Forensic Dental Sciences, vol. 10, no. 2, 2018, p. 75.
Silva, Rhonan Ferreira Da, et al. “Comparative Study among Dentistry Undergraduates and Forensic Odontology Postgraduate Students through Smile Photographs for Human Identification.” South Brazilian Dentistry Journal RSBO (Online), vol. 9, no. 4, 2012, pp. 407–15.
Silva, Rhonan Ferreira et al. “Forensic odontology identification using smile photograph analysis--case reports.” The Journal of forensic odonto-stomatology vol. 26,1 12-7. 1 Jun. 2008
Tripathi, Neha. “Ghatkopar Aircraft Crash: A Year on, Probe Report yet to Be Released.” Hindustan Times, 27 June 2019, Accessed Date 29th June 2021.
How to cite this article?
| APA Style | Battu, Dr. N. et al. (2021). Human Identification through Smile Photograph Analysis. Academic Journal of Anthropological Studies, 04(02), 12–14. |
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