DENTAL PROFILING

Dental identification

is an important

method used to identify unknown

individuals, especially when other

means are not possible

• Comparative identification

• Reconstructive identification

Types of dental identification

Comparative identification

is used when there is some idea of who the person might be. It works by matching the person's teeth with their dental records.

Reconstructive identification

is used

when there are no clues about

the person's identity. It helps

estimate details like age, sex,

race, or even occupation based

on their teeth.

• Metric traits

• Non-metric traits

two main types of dental traits

Metric Traits

Dental traits based on tooth size

Non-metric traits

Dental traits based on tooth shape or specific features (like the presence of a Carabelli’s cusp

• Mastoid process

• Supraorbital ridge

• Skull size and shape

• Zygomatic arch extension

• Nasal aperture

• Mandibular (jaw) angle

Six key traits used for identification

Skull and jaw

this will show clear differences between males and females

94–96%

The accuracy of craniofacial features Up to _____ when multiple features are combined. and Reliable even in older individuals.

Tooth Size

This is Useful in young individuals where

skeletal features aren’t developed.

Male teeth are generally larger,

especially the canines

Mesiodistal (MD) width

Buccolingual (BL) width

Tooth size can be measured by

pelvic or skull

Tooth size is less accurate than _____ analysis due to size overlap and it is best used as a supportive method not the sole indicator

DNA analysis

This is highly accurate up to 100% success in identifying sex

Amelogenin gene

DNA analysis is based on the _____ found on both X and Y

Dental pulp or enamel

DNA can be extracted from?

Metric traits (tooth size)

_______ are affected by both Genetics and the environment

Non-metric traits (tooth shape and features)

are more reliable for ethnic identification as

they are more influenced by genetics.

sex

Skull and jaw traits differ by

Craniofacial traits

are not reliable for sex determination before puberty

Craniofacial features

Reliable even in older individuals when

multiple features are assessed.

Larger

Male teeth are generally _____than

female teeth.

Canine

What teeth shows the greatest size difference

Tooth size

Useful in children and fragmented remains

Tooth size

best used as a supplementary method due to some overlap between sexes