Positive Identification of Skeletal Remains Combining Smile Photographs and Forensic Anthropology – A Case Report

Abstract

Forensic experts may face challenging situations in the routine of human identifications, such as the lack of antemortem (AM) data; and cadaveric alterations, such as charred, mutilated and decomposed bodies, as well as skeletal remains. In this context, alternative pathways for human identification must be taken following scientific criteria. The present study reports a case of human identification combining the analysis of smile photographs and forensic anthropology exams. Skeletal remains of were referred for human identification in the local medico-legal institute. The anthropological profile of the victim, containing age, sex, stature and ancestry information pointed out a potential victim from a police list of missing persons. Relatives of the victims did not provide AM data; except for a single smile photograph form the victim's personal belongings. Dental autopsy, previously guided by anthropological exams, culminated in positive identification. Similar to all the other pathways for human identification, the analysis of smile photographs presents advantages and limitations. However, when combined to other methods, such as forensic anthropology, smile photographs trend the reveal greater application.

The weak evidence of lip print analysis for sexual dimorphism in forensic dentistry: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

“…Moreover, registering the lips with photographs or other tools is rare—so, the application of cheiloscopy for human identification is limited from the beginning. Striving for sexual dimorphism could be an interesting asset to the armamentarium of forensic dentists, but again the application in practice is relative, especially because dental human identification is mainly necessary in challenging cases that involve charred bodies and skeletal remains 94 —in which lips are usually destroyed. Additionally, sexual dimorphism should be accomplished from body structures scientifically known for their anthropological reliability, namely the pelvic bones and skull 95 .…”

Dental Cingulum and Position of Fixed Orthodontic Appliance as Source of Morphological and Therapeutic Identifiers: An Unusual Case Report

“…Several case reports using therapeutic identifiers[61416] are found in the literature and corroborate the value of these identifiers in forensic dentistry. Regarding the morphology, case reports focus more often in the distinctive traits detected in the frontal sinuses and incisal edges of the anterior teeth in smile photographs,[31718] although there is some of them that emphasizes the role of some dental anomalies in order to make the human identification process easier. [19] The present study explored the interface of therapeutic and morphological identifiers, highlighting the distinctive crown traits observed in the upper incisors and molar roots with the positional and structural traits of the orthodontic brackets.…”

A Importância Pericial do Registro das Características Terapêuticas e Patológicas no Prontuário Odontológico – Relato de Caso

“…No âmbito pericial criminal, é comum que as vítimas de violência sejam encontradas em avançado estágio de decomposição 6 , carbonizadas 7 , mutiladas ou esqueletizadas 8 , todas circunstâncias em que uma análise odontológica é indispensável a fim de se estabelecer a identidade humana para que a investigação criminal siga o seu curso adequado.…”