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Forensic thanatology comprises the investigation of every phenomenon related to death performed through cadaveric exams. The pink tooth phenomenon (PTP) emerges as a thanatological finding registered during medical or dental autopsy. The PTP consists of a reddish or pink coloration caused in the teeth by the penetration of pulpal hemoglobin in the dentinal tubules. Initially, the PTP was associated with specific violent deaths, such as drowning, hanging and poisoning. However, scientific reports have pointed towards the occurrence of PTP as an expression of cadaveric decomposition regardless of the cause of death. The present study aims to report eight dental autopsies of victims of violent death that presented the PTP. The autopsies were conducted by forensic pathologists and dentists between 2013 and 2018. Seven victims were males and one was female. The age ranged above 6years old. Cranio-encephalic trauma, firearm shooting and asphyxia figured as the causes of death. All the victims were in advanced decomposition. The PTP was detected in deciduous and permanent, anterior and posterior and maxillary and mandibular teeth. Forensic experts, especially dentists, must be aware of the PTP for more detailed registration of postmortem findings and more accurate cadaveric exams.

Objectives The present study reports a case of late mandibular fracture due to third molar extraction and highlights the inherent clinical, ethical and legal aspects related to this surgical complication. Material and Methods A female patient underwent surgical procedure for the extraction of the mandibular right third molar. Two days after the surgery the patient reported pain and altered occlusion in the right side of the mandible. After clinical and radiographic re-examination, the diagnosis of late mandibular fracture was established. A second surgery, under general anaesthesia, was performed for the fixation of the mandibular bone. Results The fractured parts were reduced and fixed with locking plate systems and 2 mm screws following load-sharing principles. The masticatory function showed optimal performance within 7 and 21 days after the surgery. Complete bone healing was observed within 1 year of follow-up. Conclusions For satisfactory surgical outcomes, adequate surgical planning and techniques must be performed. Signed informed consents explaining the risks and benefits of the treatment must be used to avoid ethical and legal disputes in dentistry.

Dental human identification relies on distinctive traits detected and compared between ante-mortem (AM) and post-mortem (PM) data. Several distinctive traits may be found in dental roots, such as dilacerations and bifurcations. However, teeth are often dislodged during the manipulation of skeletal remains, charred bodies and bodies retrieved from water. In these situations the identification process is hampered. The present study aims to retrieve information of teeth missing PM through the investigation of intra-alveolar morphology in empty dental sockets using different dental impression materials. This study was conducted using a dry human skull and 6 techniques for intra-alveolar impression, namely: (1) alginate using a dental tray; (2) heavy-body condensation silicone (HBCS) using manual compression; (3) HBSC using a blunt tip probe; (4) HBCS using a dental tray; (5) light- and HBCS using a syringe and a dental tray; and (6) polyether using a syringe and a dental tray. These techniques were evaluated based on 5 criteria: (I) intra-alveolar flow; (II) registration of apical morphology; (III) tensile strength; (IV) complexity; and (V) cost. The best outcomes considering the cost and benefit relation of each technique were observed in the following order: techniques #3>#2>#5>#6. Techniques #1 and #4 did not reach satisfactory outcomes for application in the forensic routine. Forensic dentists must be aware of the possibility of retrieving PM dental information even in the absence of teeth. The impression of intra-alveolar morphology may contribute significantly as source of PM dental information for human identifications.

The cadaveric alterations that derive from the decomposition of the human body are often investigated and examined in medical autopsies together with any other evidence of thanatological interest. This study aimed to systematically review case-specific characteristics of dental autopsies that reported the pink tooth phenomenon (PTP). The review was performed in October/2018 and followed PRISMA and Cochrane guidelines. Seven databases were searched as primary study sources (PubMed, Scopus, LILACS, SciELO, Web of Science, Science Direct and Embase) and three (OATD, Open Grey and Open Thesis) were searched for "grey literature". Only descriptive studies were collected, namely case reports and case series. The risk of bias among the studies was assessed with The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tool. From each case, the sex and age of the victims were registered, together with the place of body recovery, time of death, cadaveric status, cause of death, and number and position of pink teeth. Additionally, a supplemental quantitative analysis was conducted within a sampled subgroup. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to analyze relative risks of presenting pink teeth according to age and tooth position. Eleven studies out of 1004 were eligible. In total 71 cases of cadavers with pink teeth were reported. Two (2.81%) victims had unknown sex, while 17 (23.95%) were females and 52 (73.24%) were males. The victims were aged between 4 and 85 years (mean age 31.13 ± 13.32). Dental autopsies registered 331 pink teeth (163 anterior, 87 premolars and 81 molars). The age did not influence on presenting an additional pink tooth, regardless of tooth position (p > 0.05). Forensic dentists must be aware of pink teeth in dental autopsies. This is an unspecific phenomenon and must not be misinterpreted in medico-legal investigations.

Objectives To report a forensic case of positive human identification using radiographic and anthropological techniques. Material and methods Unknown human skeletal remains were received, under the legal request for identification. Anthropological exams consisting in the analysis of teeth, long bones, and cranial features were performed to estimate the age, stature and gender of the victim. Post-mortem (PM) periapical radiograph of the teeth, and posteroanterior radiograph of the skull, were obtained and compared to ante-mortem (AM) recorded lateral and posteroanterior radiographs of a missing person. Results Positive matching was obtained by comparing mandibular molars between periapical (PM) and lateral radiographs (AM) and frontal sinuses between posteroanterior radiographs. Conclusion In this context, the present case illustrates the usefulness of anthropological reconstructive procedures for identification narrowing the search for AM data. Further on, forensic radiographs of skeletal remains proved to be an important tool reproducing PM forensic records for comparative human identification.

The dental records produced in the prosthetic treatments have primordially a clinical purpose, because these documents allow the consultation about the stage of execution of odontological procedures. However, in specific situations, the information contained in these documents may have relevant legal value, by clarifying several judicial questions. In cases related to the identification of edentulous individuals, the dentist must be attentive to register all possible details about the oral anatomy of the patient and denture features. In this context, the aim of this work is to show the forensic importance of prosthetic records, through a case report, by emphasizing the social and legal importance of establishing denture marking standards. Until the Federal Council of Dentistry establishes specific rules concerning the matter, and to be followed by dentists and technical in dental prosthesis, these professionals must observe their ethical and legal obligations related to the notes and data about clinical and laboratorial prosthetic procedures that they have to register in patient’s record. Thus, these dental records may protect the professional exercise and subsidize correctly the forensic exams in cases of edentulous patients.

Background Successful extraction of third molars depends on preoperative diagnosis and planning. Gold standard preoperative examinations are performed through computed tomography, decreasing risks and avoiding potential accidents. The present report highlights the value of preoperative examinations in face of accidentally displaced third molars. Methods An 18-years-old female patient underwent a third mandibular molar extraction with a general dentist. Accidentally, the mandibular left third molar was displaced into the sublingual space, making necessary a second surgical step. The surgery was interrupted and the patient was referred to an expert in maxillofacial surgery. Results After 21 days awaiting an asymptomatic health status, the second surgical step was successfully performed using multislice computed tomography as preoperative imaging guide. Conclusions The present case report highlights the clinical usefulness of imaging planning and informed consents in face of legal and ethic potential complaints.

Objective: The present study aims to illustrate the usefulness of bitewing radiographs in Forensic Odontology reporting a case of positive human identification achieved through the comparison between ante-mortem and post-mortem dental data. Case report: In 2014, a charred human body was referred for identification at the local medico-legal institute. Maxilla and mandible were dissected, enucleated and cleaned for a proper exam. The ante-mortem data consisted of 4 bitewing radiographs and a clinical dental file. The bitewing angulation was reproduced post-mortem manipulating both dental arches, enabling a radiographic comparison of dental evidences. Positive identification was obtained comparing morphological and treatment findings compatible ante-mortem and post-mortem. Conclusion: The present study highlights the importance for adequate management and storage of dental radiographs, which are potentially useful under the needs of Law.

Endodontics is a special branch of dentistry constantly guided by imaging examinations. From a forensic scope, endodontics plays a valuable role providing solid antemortem (AM) radiographic evidence for comparison with postmortem findings in human identifications. This study illustrates the interface between endodontics and forensic odontology describing three cases of human identification based on radiographic endodontic records. From 2009 to 2012, three unknown male victims of murder were examined in a local Brazilian medico-legal institute to retrieve identity and potential cause of death. Specifically, when asked for AM data, a relative of the three victims provided periapical radiographs of endodontic treatments. Based on that, forensic dentists reproduced the same imaging acquisition techniques obtaining similar periapical radiographs, enabling a comparative dental identification. All the victims were positively identified based on patterns of dental morphology and treatment intervention. This study draws the attention of general and forensic dentists highlight the importance of properly recording dental treatments and searching for evidence in AM endodontic data, respectively.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T19:05:17Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S1415-54192006000500013.pdf: 102297 bytes, checksum: 7614252a5ea590744ead2828a3649b32 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T19:05:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S1415-54192006000500013.pdf: 102297 bytes, checksum: 7614252a5ea590744ead2828a3649b32 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-10-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T20:09:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S1415-54192006000500013.pdf: 102297 bytes, checksum: 7614252a5ea590744ead2828a3649b32 (MD5) S1415-54192006000500013.pdf.txt: 30824 bytes, checksum: 861c6c1a650a3e5fad495faa6d06d2b4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-10-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T15:17:35Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S1415-54192006000500013.pdf: 102297 bytes, checksum: 7614252a5ea590744ead2828a3649b32 (MD5) S1415-54192006000500013.pdf.txt: 30824 bytes, checksum: 861c6c1a650a3e5fad495faa6d06d2b4 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T15:17:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S1415-54192006000500013.pdf: 102297 bytes, checksum: 7614252a5ea590744ead2828a3649b32 (MD5) S1415-54192006000500013.pdf.txt: 30824 bytes, checksum: 861c6c1a650a3e5fad495faa6d06d2b4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-10-01 INTRODUÇÃO: o mercado de trabalho tem se mostrado saturado de profissionais atuando nos grandes centros urbanos e, por este motivo, as estratégias de produtividade são imprescindíveis. A delegação de funções aos auxiliares odontológicos tem se tornado vital e corriqueira para aqueles que exercem a Ortodontia. OBJETIVO: conhecer o perfil do cirurgião-dentista especialista nesta área e as funções delegadas por ele à equipe auxiliar. METODOLOGIA: foi aplicado um questionário a todos os especialistas em Ortodontia e Ortopedia Facial inscritos no Conselho Regional de Odontologia de Goiás, com atividade em Goiânia e Aparecida de Goiânia. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÃO: os resultados demonstraram que os ortodontistas, de um modo geral, aproveitam bem a mão-de-obra auxiliar chegando até a ultrapassar os limites ético-legais. INTRODUCTION: the work market has been shown to be saturated with professionals working at large urban centers and, for this reason, productive strategies are indispensable. The delegation of functions to dental assistants is becoming vital and quite common for those that work with Orthodontics. AIM: to evaluate the profile of the orthodontists and the workload delegated by them to the dental assistant team. METHODS: a questionnaire was given to all specialists in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics registered at the Regional Council of Dentistry of Goiás, with practices in Goiânia and Aparecida de Goiânia. RESULTS and CONCLUSIONS: the results demonstrated that orthodontists, in general, take advantage of the work labor of the dental assistants even surpassing the ethical-legal limits. UNICAMP FOP UNIP UNESP FOAr Universidade de Nebraska UFG FO UNESP FOAr