UNIQUENESS OF GROOVE PATTERNS OF MAXILLARY POSTERIOR TEETH IN HUMAN IDENTIFICATION

Abstract

In forensic odontology, unique features are important concepts for the antemortem and postmortem dental record comparisons. There are studies on the uniqueness of soft and hard tissue structures. However, there is insufficient data specifically on the uniqueness of groove patterns (GP). Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the uniqueness of the  maxillary first molar (M1), first premolar (PM1), and second premolar (PM2) using a two-dimensional (2D) stereomicroscope for human identification. Ninety dental casts were selected for scanning. Two-dimensional images of M1, PM1 and PM2 were captured with Hirox KH-7700 Digital Microscope System (Japan). The GP tracings followed the central developmental groove and any supplementary groove emerging from it. The GPs were then duplicated into original and duplicate sets of images by examiner-A. Examiner-B decoded the original and duplicate sets of images and made 90 matched and 90 non-matched pairs of GPs of each of M1, PM1, and PM2, which were superimposed by examiner-A using 2D-Hirox. Examiner-B cross-checked to record the correct and incorrect decisions. Examiner-A gave the correct decision for all the pairs of PM1, PM2 and MI, which showed 100 % uniqueness. It was concluded that maxillary M1, PM1, and PM2 showed uniqueness of GP, and hence, may be used for human identification.