Accuracy in establishing identity by means of intraoral radiographs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy in establishing identity of individuals by means of different dental characteristics observed in "ante- and postmortem" bitewing radiographs. Three categories of individuals, based on dental therapy conditions, were considered: Group A) no therapy, Group B) simple therapy, and Group C) complicated therapy. Seven examiners were asked to combine "ante- and postmortem" radiographs and all reports were made on standard forms. The results show that all observers were able to determine identity for the cases in the simple therapy group. In contrast, three observers presented incorrect answers on two cases each in the nontherapy group. Further, two observers were unable correctly to determine identity for four cases in the complicated therapy group. Among a total of seven observers only two observers made no mistakes in any of the groups.