HUMAN IDENTIFICATION THROUGH INCISAL SMILE EDGES IN PHOTOGRAPHS- CASE REPORT

Abstract

Among the various techniques for human identification at Forensic Dentistry, the analysis of incisal edges with the aid of photographs has been gaining prominence recently. This is due to the fact that  both teeth and bones of the craniofacial complex have morphologically individualized characteristics. As a result of the advancement of the digital technological world, the incorporation of photographic cameras in mobile devices has become frequent in everyday life, leading to the emergence of selfies and self-portraits. From this point, by resorting access to photographic data, Dentistry Forensic has expanded its possibilities for human recognition through individual dental characteristics. Due to software resources such as Microsoft PowerPoint, smile analysis techniques in photographs are performed, given the ease of use for demarcating incisal lines of teeth. The objective of this work is demonstrate, through a case report, a male corpse that entered the Legal Medical Department of Vitória, Brazil, with an advanced state of putrefaction and a supposed identity, which was successfully solved by the effectiveness of identification through the delimitation of incisal edges of the smile.