FDI World Dental
Federation
Section of Defence Forces
Dental Services
Salvador de Bahia, Brazil
30 Aug – 1 Sep 2010
The deadline for the receipt
of abstracts and summaries:
30 May 2010,
latest 26 June 2010
ABSTRACT AND
SUMMARY FORM
TITLE
TAKING ORAL PHOTOGRAPHS DURING DENTAL
EXAMINATIONS AS AN AID TO PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION IN
FORENSIC DENTISTRY
Author(s)
TAKESHI MIYAMOTO 1)
1)
Medical Squadron, Air Base Group, 2nd Air Wing, Japan Air Self-Defense Force
(JASDF), Hokkaido, Japan
Abstract:
Considering the importance of personal identification in forensic dentistry, we attempted
to take oral photographs during dental examinations and to store these images in a
database system. Using the results of this trial, we examined the practicality of adopting
such a system.
We selected subjects who were “aircraft crew members, such as pilots” and “Japan Air
Self-Defense Force (JASDF) members who would be engaged in overseas missions” in
the dental examination. We randomly divided the subjects into the following two groups.
Group I: in which we would only take a pantomograph and examine the oral cavity by
eye using a loupe.
Group II: in which we would take a pantomograph, examine the oral cavity by eye using
a loupe, and take 11 oral photographs. In each group, we surveyed “the physical burden
to the subjects” by means of a questionnaire. Further, we analyzed the “costs” and “labor”
associated with this type of dental examination.
Responses to the questionnaire indicated that taking oral photographs imposes minimal
physical burden on the test subjects. Further, since we could draw reliable dental charts
from the oral photographs taken in this trial, these records will be useful for personal
identification in forensic dentistry. However, since considerable time and labor are
required take oral photographs and to process the corresponding data, we could not
operate such a system without sufficient human resources necessary to perform the many
dental examinations that would be needed.
Key Words: oral photograph, personal identification in forensic dentistry
Summary:
Introduction:
In the event of an act of terrorism or an aircraft accident, which may result in many
unidentified dead bodies, it is necessary to perform rapid identification after recovering
the bodies. However, it is difficult to identify badly damaged bodies. In such
circumstances there is, nevertheless, every possibility that the human jaw could be well
preserved and satisfy the conditions for personal identification. This is because the jaw is
generally resistance to external forces and intense heat. Therefore, dental records are very
important for personal identification, and facial and oral photographs are particularly
useful for recording accurate data concerning the jaw.
Although it is recommended that oral photographs are taken during the physical
examination of flight service employees, we usually take only a pantomograph instead of
taking oral photographs. Considering the importance of personal identification in forensic
dentistry, we attempted to take oral photographs during dental examinations and to store
the images in a database system. Using the results of this trial, we examined the
practicality of adopting such a system.
Subjects and Methods:
We selected subjects who were “aircraft crew members, such as pilots” and “Japan Air
Self-Defense Force (JASDF) members who would be engaged in overseas missions such
as international emergency assistance” in the dental examination. We randomly divided
the subjects into the following two groups.
Group I: in which we would only take a pantomograph and examine the oral cavity by
eye using a loupe.
Group II: in which we would take a pantomograph, examine the oral cavity by eye using
a loupe, and take 11 oral photographs.
Thereafter, we allowed the subjects to individually view their pantomograph and oral
photographs, and reported the results of the examination to them. In addition, we gave
them dental certificates, together with a sheet on which their pantomograph and oral
photographs were printed. These images were also filed in the subject’s physical records,
in view of the possible need for personal identification in the future. We also attempted to
manage and store the images as digital data.
Finally, we obtained information by means of a questionnaire designed to survey “the
physical burden to the subjects” and “comprehension of their odontopathy.” Differences
between each item in the two groups were statistically analyzed by a chi-square test using
the statistical software program “Ystat 2008.” A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered
to be statistically significant.
Results:
Initially, we examined whether the oral photographs taken in this trial could meet the
criteria required for personal identification. In practice, dental charts are compiled in
order to easily compare the records obtained from the person while alive with the records
obtained after death. We were able to draw reliable dental charts from the oral
photographs taken in this trial. We found that a minimum of three photographs—a frontal
view and views of the upper and lower dental arcades—were needed for us to draw the
dental charts.
Secondly, regarding the physical burden to the subjects, we found that there was no
difference between groups I and II, and that taking oral photographs imposed little
burden on the subjects. However, some subjects complained of a “vomiting reflex” and
“pain” when a mirror was placed into their oral cavity. We should therefore make
greater efforts to shorten the time and improve the technique of taking oral photographs.
Regarding the subject’s comprehension of their odontopathy, there was no significant
difference between the two groups. Accordingly, we were unable to determine whether
the use of oral photographs enabled subjects to better understand their odontopathy.
Next, we analyzed the “costs” and “labor” associated with this type of dental
examination. It cost approximately $2,700 to purchase the equipment and materials
necessary for taking the oral photographs. On the other hand, the running costs, such as
operating a printing machine, were approximately $0.9 per capita. As digital cameras and
printing machines have recently become highly efficient and reasonably priced, we can
use them routinely in dental inspections.
On average, it took 5 minutes and 30 seconds to perform the dental examination on
group I subjects and an average of 9 minutes to perform the examination on group II
subjects. It took on average 2 minutes and 30 seconds per person to take 11 oral
photographs. Furthermore, it took an average of 4 minutes and an average of 10 minutes
to process the data and prepare dental certificates for each subject in group I and group II,
respectively. Considerable time and labor are therefore required to take the oral
photographs and process the data.
There is no doubt that a record of oral photographs is useful for personal identification.
However, from the perspective of both labor and costs, it would be difficult to take 11
oral photographs of all JASDF members and to renew the data once a year. Tooth shape
changes with the passage of time, and there is a wide individual variability in such
changes. In terms of personal identification, we found from certain case studies that it
was necessary for the records of three types of oral photograph—a frontal view and views
of the upper and lower dental arcades—to be updated once every five years. Given the
findings of this trial, further consideration is necessary regarding the viability of taking
oral photographs of all JASDF members during dental check-ups.
Conclusion:
The records of oral photographs taken in this trial are useful for personal identification
in forensic dentistry. Taking oral photographs imposes little physical burden on test
subjects. However, as considerable time and labor are involved in taking oral photographs
and processing the data, we could not apply them without the sufficient human resources
necessary to perform the large number of dental examinations needed
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