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Background: Age plays an important role in personal identification, treatment planning, forensic dentistry, and legal issues. It is one of the key identification tools for distinguishing one person from another and one population from another. An intraoral radiographic technique for age estimation is an easier approach. The widely accepted age estimation method in children is the Demirjian system. Tooth coronal index is another method that gained popularity for adult age estimation. Aim: This study aims to estimate the tooth coronal index (TCI) of mandibular right and left second deciduous molar and its correlation with chronological age to derive a regression equation. Settings and Design: The present study is a cross-sectional radiographical study which is conducted in AME's Dental College and Hospital, Raichur, Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 children aged 5–10 years were selected. Digital intraoral periapical radiographs were taken for right and left deciduous mandibular second molar. The length of the tooth crown and the coronal pulp cavity were measured. Statistical Analysis: Further, the data are subjected to student's unpaired t-test and ANOVA test for the statistical analysis and simple linear regression to derive the regression equation. Results: TCI showed a statistically significant reduction with increasing age in both right and left mandibular deciduous second molar (P ≤ 0.05), and the strength of the correlation is moderate (r = −0.59) if age is correlated with TCI using simple linear regression. Conclusion: The tooth coronal index method is found as a simple, noninvasive, nondestructive and cost-effective method for age assessment in children.

Background: Numerous methods of age estimation have been proposed. The Demirjian method which was first applied in a French-Canadian population in 1972 is the most frequently used dental age estimation method. However, a constant over estimation using this method has been reported by numerous researchers. The Willems method is a modification of the above and was first applied in a Belgian Caucasian population in 2002. Several studies in the recent years found Willems method to be more accurate than the original Demirjians method. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the applicability of Willems method for dental age estimation in 6 -15-year-old North Indian children. Methods: The sample for this cross sectional study consisted of 390 OPGs of (215 boys and 175 girls) randomly selected from the patient records of a post graduate training dental college in North India. Exact chronological age of the subjects (in years and months) was calculated. The OPGs were used to score the seven mandibular teeth and dental age was estimated using the tables proposed in Willems method. Results: Significant correlation between the chronological age and dental age estimated using Willems method was observed in both males (r = 0.90) and females (r = 0.87). The mean difference between estimated DA and CA for males was 0.004 ± 1.08 years (P = 0.94). While for females, it was 0.031 ± 1.18 years (P = 0.72). The results showed no statistically significant difference between chronological age and dental age estimated using Willems method in the study population. Conclusion: Willems dental age estimation method without any modification can predict the chronological age of 6-15 year old North Indian children with good accuracy.

Background Cheiloscopy is the study of furrows and grooves present on the red part, or the vermilion border of the human lips. The type of groves is unique for an individual and can be used for person identification. Aim The aim of this study is to ascertain whether the uniqueness of lip print (LP) can help in identifying a person. In addition to evaluate the comparison of LP types and blood groups was taken up to see if there is any correlation between the two. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 participants (77 males and 123 females), aged between 25 to 45 years, to determine any correlation between LP types and blood groups. These lip patterns were analyzed and interpreted using Tsuchihashi's classification and later associated blood group matching was performed to determine the predominant LP type with the ABO and Rh blood grouping system. Results The present study showed a positive correlation between LP pattern and blood group among males and females. Thus, distribution of LP patterns, and ABO blood groups might help in the identification of an individual. Conclusion Since LP and blood group are unique for a person. Hence, cheiloscopy along with blood group can play a vital role in person identification.

Introduction: Sex determination plays an important role in forensics; several studies done using radiographs, model cast and animal teeth have shown that males possess larger tooth crown and more dentin than that of the females. As physical sectioning of tooth provides more accurate measurement of enamel thickness when compared with other methods, the present study was done to evaluate and compare enamel area (EA), coronal dentin area (CDA), bi-cervical diameter (BCD), average enamel thickness (AET) and dentinoenamel junction scallop area (DEJ-SA) in longitudinal ground sections of first premolars between males and females. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 extracted first premolar teeth were used for the study, of which 30 were from male and 30 were from female. A longitudinal ground section of 15 maxillary and 15 mandibular premolars of approximately 50 μm was prepared buccolingually at the center of each tooth and mounted on the slide. Multiple photomicrographs were captured with the help of Image Analysis System Software-Progres, Speed XT core 3. EA, CDA, length of the dentinoenamel junction and BCD were measured. Average DEJ-SA and AET were also calculated. Results: Mann–Whitney U- test was used for statistical analysis. It was found that EA and AET were significantly greater in females than in males. On the contrary, it was found that CDA was significantly greater in males than in females. However, no significant difference was found in BCD and DEJ-SA between males and females. Conclusion: Permanent first premolar can be reliably used in the field of forensic in establishing gender of individuals by measuring its EA, CDA and AET.

Introduction: Teeth are an excellent material in living and nonliving populations for anthropological, genetic, odontologic and forensic investigations. Among the various calcified structures in the human body, teeth have gained lot of popularity in estimating the sex of an individual as they are highly resistant to destruction and decomposition. The present study aims to assess the importance of canines in sexual dimorphism in both primary and permanent dentition as well as to describe the dimensional characteristics of canines among the population of Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty participants belonging to Bagalkot district of Karnataka population, 100 adults (50 males and 50 females) in the age group of 17–30 years and 50 children (25 boys and 25 girls) in the age group of 3–6 years were included in the study. Impressions were made using alginate and study models were prepared using dental stone. Clinical crown height (CCH), maximum mesiodistal diameter (MMD) and maximum buccolingual width (MBL) of maxillary and mandibular canines of both dentitions were measured using digital vernier caliper. Results: In deciduous dentition, significant differences were noted between maxillary and mandibular deciduous canines in male and female children using three dimensions, except mandibular canine, i.e., CCH did not show a significant difference. In permanent dentition, CCH and MMD showed significant differences except mandibular canines not showing significant differences in MBL (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Thus, canines can act as a valuable tool in gender determination as there is significant sexual dimorphism in maxillary and mandibular deciduous and permanent dentition.

Background: Palatal rugae are nonidentical mucosal elevations seen on anterior third of palate. They are arranged in transverse direction on either side of the mid-palatine raphe. Although they are the most stable anatomical structures in the oral cavity, certain conditions such as expansion in orthodontic treatment contribute to some amount of variations in their pattern qualitatively. The aim of this study was to compare the shape of rugae and its positional changes before and after rapid maxillary expansion. Materials and Methods: Fifteen pairs of pre- and post-maxillary expansion casts showing finer details of palatal rugae from seven males to eight females in the age group of 10 ± 2.5 years were selected for this study with transverse maxillary deficiency reporting to Department of Orthodontics, VS Dental College and Hospital. The shape of rugae and the distance between the median points and lateral points of the first and the last two rugae on either side of the mid-palatal raphe were noted and marked. The data collected was statistically analyzed using SPSS program. Results: There was statistically significant difference in the distance between medial and lateral points of first two and last two rugae. Conclusion: During maxillary expansion, there is stability of palatal rugae with respect to its shape, number but not with respect to its position. Clinically, the orthodontist can quantify the palatal separation after expansion of the maxillary arch using the interruga distance.

Introduction: Sex identification of skeletal remains is one of the prime factors employed in identification of an individual. Teeth, the most hard and stable human tissue, which is resistant to physical insults, serve as a valuable material for forensic, anthropological, odontologic and genetics. Among the four main attributes of biological identity, gender determination is usually the first step in the human identification process. Hence, the main objective of the present study was to assess the dimorphic status of mesiodistal (MD) width, labiolingual (LL) width as well as cervicoincisal (CI) length of the crown in both maxillary and mandibular permanent incisors, canines and first molars. Materials and Methods: The present study comprised a set of 100 casts (50 males and 50 females) between the age group of 20–50 years of age. Impressions were made using alginate impression and study models were prepared using dental stone. The CI length of the crown, maximum MD width and maximum LL width of both maxillary and mandibular permanent incisors, canines and first molars were evaluated using digital Vernier calipers. The obtained data were analyzed using linear discriminant analysis and logistic regression method. Results: This study concludes that MD dimension of maxillary canine and CI dimension of mandibular first molar as reliable indicators for gender determination than mandibular canine, maxillary and mandibular central incisors and maxillary first molar dimensions. Conclusion: This study concludes that MD dimension of maxillary canine and CI dimension of mandibular first molar as reliable indicators for gender determination than mandibular canine, maxillary and mandibular central incisors and maxillary first molar dimensions.

Background: Orthodontic science centers primarily on the growth, development and advancement of the craniofacial structures. Geometric morphometrics (GMM) is a new approach for shape identification in forensic sciences. Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the shape variation in the Indian sample in order to assess sexual dimorphism by application of two-dimensional GMM. Materials and Methods: The sample comprised a total of 105 lateral cephalograms (54 males–51 females) of Angle's Class I malocclusion patients that were later subjected to principal component (PC) analysis and discriminant analysis. Results: The PC analysis showed over 96% of shape variation. The initial three PCs were statistically significant that depicted as 58.37% of total shape variability, with PC1 represent for the most significant variance 28.48%, PC2 described 18.83% and PC3 11.06%. Conclusion: Sex of an individual was clearly associated with occlusion of teeth and showed considerable variation. GMM is an alternative research tool and can be utilized for diagnosing individual characterization and classification of malocclusion.

Aim: To compare the uniqueness of human dentition in both orthodontically treated and untreated populations and evaluate the reliability of bitemark analysis. Materials and Methods: A total of 1464 maxillary and mandibular casts were fabricated from orthodontically treated and nontreated population. After careful examination of the study teeth, 326 nontreated maxillary cast (Group 1), 333 nontreated mandibular cast (Group 2), 336 orthodontically treated maxillary cast (Group 3), and 320 orthodontically treated mandibular casts (Group 4) were selected for the analysis. For uniformity, the sample size of 320 was selected from each group for comparison. Results: The arch width was a major cause of variance. In Group 1, only 6.87% of similarity rate was seen, whereas in Group 3, the match rate increased to 55% showing similarity. In Group 2, only 1.87% similarity and Group 4 showed 42.7% match rate. Conclusion: The human dentition may be unique, but it loses its uniqueness once any dental treatment is carried out.

Introduction: Cheiloscopy and dactyloscopy have long been the most commonly used methods for forensic investigations. Orthodontists perform numerous diagnostic procedures, which include radiographs, photographs and impressions of the teeth and palate for the evaluation of malocclusion. The data recorded by them provide immense information about a patient. Fingerprints, lip prints and palatal rugae have been considered the most stable, reliable, imitable, convenient, cost-effective and time-friendly modes of investigating crime and other purposes. Aim: The main aim of this study is to correlate cheiloscopy, fingerprint pattern and palatoscopy to skeletal Class I sagittal jaw relationship and to include cheiloscopy, fingerprint pattern assessment and palatoscopy in routine orthodontic investigation procedures as an adjunct procedure in individual identification. Methods: Fingerprints, lip prints, palatal rugae pattern and lateral cephalograms of 37 skeletal Class I patients were obtained using standardized procedures. Results: In Class I skeletal malocclusion, the maximum number of patients exhibited ulnar loop dermal pattern, Type 1 and Type 2 lip patterns and a wavy rugae pattern (Kapali et al. primary classification). Conclusion: Orthodontists prepare various antemortem records for diagnostic purposes, i.e., photographs, the impression of the teeth and palate, lateral cephalograms, orthopantomograms and hand-wrist radiographs. If orthodontists recorded additional data of finger and lip prints, the archives of an orthodontist would be of tremendous profit to forensic sciences in individual identification.

Context Estimation of time since death is the preliminary step in any postmortem examination. Although there are various physiological methods to conclude the postmortem, interval histological changes can be applied to obtain precision. However, the utility of oral tissues for such an event is still evolving. Aims The present study was conducted to assess the efficacy of postmortem histological changes that occur in tongue to conclude the postmortem interval (PMI). Materials and methods After obtaining institutional human ethical committee, tongue tissue was collected for during routine autopsy procedure. The study comprised twelve autopsied tongue tissues. The tissue specimens were subjected to routine laboratory tissue processing procedure and the histological changes were evaluated. Conclusion This is the first study of this kind in the scientific literature to explore the tongue tissue to estimate the PMI. There were definite changes in the epithelium and the connective tissue of the tongue, and these features were highly remarkable at various postmortem time intervals.

Background: Microscopically, groups of enamel rods run in unique direction, which differ from adjacent group of enamel rods and results in forming different patterns of enamel rod endings on tooth surface. These are called as tooth prints and they help in personal identification in forensic odontology. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the present study is to analyze the enamel rod end pattern on the tooth surface for personal identification and to analyze the familial inheritance of enamel rod end pattern. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 100 different families were considered for the analysis of tooth print pattern. In each family, four members were present. The maxillary central incisor, canine and first premolar were selected. Enamel rod end pattern was recorded using acetate peel technique and analyzed using Verifinger® standard SDK version 6.7 software. Statistical Analysis: Data analysis was performed using the SPSS software. Contingency coefficient statistical analysis was used for the comparison of tooth print pattern in incisors, canines and premolars based on age and gender. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The present study showed that a tooth print is composed of combination of eight distinct subpatterns, namely wavy branched, wavy unbranched, linear branched, linear unbranched, whorl open, whorl closed, loop and stem-like pattern. Wavy branched pattern was found to be the most predominant pattern in incisors, canines and first premolars in our study. Familial tendency of tooth print pattern in incisors, canines and premolars was noticed in 65%, 66% and 52% of the families, respectively. Conclusion: Tooth prints are unique to an individual and can be used as a valuable inexpensive tool in forensic odontology for personal identification.

Aim: Studies have been done in diversified population, demonstrating the uniqueness of frontal sinus; data related to the Indian population are less. Thus, the present study was aimed to determine the frontal sinus measurement and to assess its forensic application in the Indian population. Materials and Methods: A total of 400 individuals with Indian origin (21–30 years) were included in the study. The digitized posteroanterior skull radiographs were obtained and was transferred to Adobe® CS4 extended to measure the dimensions of frontal sinus and orbit for 12 parameters. Statistical Analysis: A descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results: The descriptive statistics showed the presence of bilateral frontal sinus in 87.7% and bilateral absence in 8.0% of the individuals and the absence of left and right frontal sinus in 3.3% and 1%, respectively. Maximum population showed high asymmetry index (64.7%); the right side frontal sinus (height, 59.3% and width, 40.8%) was superior to the left side in both males and females. The partial septa among the Indian population were absent for maximum population (55.2%), and supraorbital cells of the frontal sinuses were present on both sides among the Indian population. Conclusion: The observation of the present study suggests that the frontal sinus is highly asymmetrical and unique to the individual and hence can be effectively used in personal identification method in forensic anthropology.

Introduction: Evaluation of Tooth Crown non metric traits benefits to assess the biological distance between populations. It is well known that these traits are characterised by a high inter-population differentiation, low sexual dimorphism, and their recording is loaded by relatively small intra and inter observer error. The dental morphological traits are successfully used in the description and explanation of the microevolutionary and ethnogenetic processes. This paper presents the results of the permanent maxillary dentition tooth crown traits differentiation of human populations from Bengaluru. Materials and Methods: The comparative analysis was carried out on the basis of 4 groups for 5 Tooth Crown non metric traits in maxillary permanent dentition using Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System for morphological scoring system of each trait and each score was charted on Osteoware Dental Morphology software. Results: Study analysed 400 dental casts from 4 different ethnic groups. Traits Winging, shovelling, lingual tubercle showed highest expression in Iranians while Cusp of Carabelli's trait expression showed 87% of prevalence in the surveyed group but the Hypocone trait showed the highest expression in Muslims. Conclusion: Traits of the human dentition can be a valuable diagnostic tool for anthropological studies in classifying and characterizing different ethnic groups. According to the results obtained from this study, it can be said that the groups Hindus, Muslims and Christians (Indians) belong to Sundonts, while Iranians fall under sinodonts population group.

Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study is to compute a new formula for sex determination using maxillary arch width of a pediatric population of Namakkal district. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 146 females and 218 males of South Indian origin aged between 4 and 6 years. Alginate impressions of the upper and lower dental arch were made, and casts were poured immediately. A digital vernier caliper was used to obtain measurements. Arch width at canine, first molar and second molar for both maxilla and mandible were considered for measurement. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 20.0 software. Results: The Student's t-test was used to find out the significance between male and female among the different predictor variables at P < 0.05. Significant sexual dimorphism was found in maxillary intercanine width and maxillary first and second intermolar width with conical discriminant function coefficient of 0.732, −0.177 and −0.244, respectively. Conclusion: The formula derived from the present study could be of great value in sex determination of pediatric populations of Namakkal district.

Background: Twins are similar in many ways owing to the genetical and environmental factors. However, still, there are certain things that are not similar among them, and this is the challenge for personal identification among the twins. Objectives: Our present study aimed to know and assess the similarities and differences present between the monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (fraternal) twins in relation to lip prints, palm prints, fingerprints and blood group and to evaluate their heritability among parents and their offspring. Materials and Methods: The study group comprised 30 twins and their parents – 15 identical and 15 nonidentical twins. The age of twins ranged from 15 years to 40 years. Lip print, palm print, fingerprint and blood group were statistically analyzed. Results: All the data were subjected to statistical analysis. The identical twins showed more percentage of similarities in comparison to the non identical twins. The inheritance pattern was significant for twins in case of their lip prints while palm prints and finger prints showed no such significance in inheritance pattern whereas there was significant association seen in case of blood groups of identical twins and their parents. Conclusion: Lip prints, palm prints, fingerprints and blood groups are the important parameters in forensic science for individual identification. Many studies have been done till now in individual but very few studies done in twin population. To the best of knowledge, ours is the first study of its kind with multiple parameters and its heritability in twins. We have observed that heritability in twins with relation to lip print was statistically significant and all the parameters can be used independently to identify the twins.

Aims: Detailed description and study of teeth traits could provide valuable information regarding phylogeny of man and distinctions between races and subraces. But morphological variations of the human dentition have not been utilized to their full potential by anthropologists concerned with patterns of human biological variation in Indian population. The aim of the present study is to detect the frequency and degree of expression of Carabelli's trait in Bengaluru population, this helps to develop a probabilistic model to distinguish individuals from specific human populations, particularly for forensic purposes. Materials and Methods: A total number 400of age and sex matched individuals from four different ethnic groups – Hindu, Islam, Christian and Iranians were examined clinically and study casts were made. Permanent maxillary first molars were examined for the expression of Carabelli's trait, Dahlberg classification system was used to score the trait on the teeth. The scores were recorded on Osteoware Dental Morphology software. The cast were examined by 2 observers independently to eliminate intra observer variation in interpretation and mean of 2 was taken for analysis. The data so obtained was statistically analysed especially emphasizing on differences between above mentioned 4 ethnic groups. Results: Cusp of Carabelli was present in 87% of the study population in maxillary first permanent molar. Type 3 was the most frequently expressed and Type 6 was the least frequently expressed and both type being expressed in Islamic groups. The expression of trait was bilateral in 90% of the surveyed groups. Conclusions: It was concluded that the prevalence of cusp of Carabelli in the small population from Bengaluru considered in the present study was found to possess a high degree of Carabelli trait expression.