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Case Reports
. 2018 Jan-Apr;10(1):50-54.
doi: 10.4103/jfo.jfds_33_17.

Dental autopsy for the identification of missing persons

Emilio Nuzzolese  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Dental autopsy for the identification of missing persons

Emilio Nuzzolese. J Forensic Dent Sci. 2018 Jan-Apr.

Abstract

Unidentified human remains require the complete collection of data during the autopsy stage to achieve, even belatedly, a positive identification. The very large number of people reported as missing in Italy (36,902) may represent an obstacle in the investigative process leading to the potential identity of the corpse, considering that 76.98% are foreigners. Add to this, the high number (1868) of "unidentified corpses" yet to be identified. A single case of a skeletonized corpse, listed in the list of nameless bodies is presented, with particular attention to odontology assessment. The case presented allows a broader definition of dental autopsy, which can no longer be considered a mere odontogram recorded by the medical examiner and/or a dentist with no forensic background. The case presented is not yet been identified also because no ante mortem (AM) identified data of compatible profiles has not been shared by the Police and consequently, no comparison of AM, and post mortem data could be possible. The failure to routinely employ forensic odontologists in the postmortem collection of identifying data of human remains of uncertain nationality and the reconciliation process will result in a reduction of additional findings, which, together with other circumstantial evidence and DNA profiles, can lead to a delay in positive identification.

Keywords: Dental autopsy; forensic odontology; human identification; human rights; missing persons.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a and b) Human dehydrated mandible and skull found along the coast of Valderice, in the province of Trapani, Italy. Perfect occlusion match can be observed
Figure 2
Figure 2
The portable radiographic unit (Nomad Examiner, Aribex Inc., USA) associated with a sensor for digital radiography
Figure 3
Figure 3
The oral inspection, assisted by a specific source of ultraviolet light, allows the identification of all the composite resin restorations, often not perceptible to the human eye
Figure 4
Figure 4
(a) the composite resin scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis; (b) the composite resin scanning electron microscopy analysis recognized as Tetric Ceram
Figure 5
Figure 5
Interpol form F2 with the odontogram details of the unidentified body
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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