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Review
. 2021 Sep-Dec;25(3):543-547.
doi: 10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_81_21. Epub 2022 Jan 11.

Role of forensic odontology and anthropology in the identification of human remains

Jijin Mekkadath Jayakrishnan  1 , Jagat Reddy  1 , R B Vinod Kumar  2
Affiliations
Review

Role of forensic odontology and anthropology in the identification of human remains

Jijin Mekkadath Jayakrishnan et al. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2021 Sep-Dec.

Abstract

Forensic odontology and anthropology play an important role in the identification of humans/victims in mass disasters (accidents and earthquakes) and criminal cases (homicide, rape and suicide) even if less available human remains or samples. Forensic also helps in the identification of age, sex, stature estimation and race identification using photographs, bite marks, lip prints, palatal rugae, radiographs and dental DNA identification if antemortem records are available. Here, we review the available methods of human identification. Cone-beam computed tomography of the skull showed superiority in comparison of both facial skeletal and soft tissue to examine the teeth, occlusion, palatal rugae, soft tissue thickness and other unique features.

Keywords: Anthropology; cone-beam computed tomography; forensic; human remains; identification.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

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