Comparing dental identifier charting in cone beam computed tomography scans and panoramic radiographs using INTERPOL...

Area of Science:

• Forensic Odontology
• Radiology
• Human Identification

Background:

• The INTERPOL standard provides a scientifically reliable method for human identification using dental records.
• Comparing antemortem and postmortem dental data is crucial for accurate identification.
• Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and panoramic radiographs (PR) are common dental imaging modalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify and compare the prevalence of INTERPOL-coded dental identifiers in CBCT scans and PR.
• To assess the reliability and interchangeability of dental identifiers between CBCT and PR for human identification.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 100 CBCT scans and 100 PR from the same patients was analyzed.
• Forty-one INTERPOL-coded dental identifiers were independently assessed in each imaging type.
• Statistical analyses included Wilcoxon tests, Chi-square tests, and multiple correspondence analyses (MCA).

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences were found in the prevalence of INTERPOL dental identifiers between CBCT scans and PR (p=0.693).
• A significant dependence was detected between specific teeth and dental codes in both imaging modalities (p<0.05).
• The strongest associations were observed between codes for unerupted, partially erupted, and impacted teeth (UNE, ERU, IMV) and third molars in both CBCT and PR.

Conclusions:

• INTERPOL-coded dental identifiers are reliably represented in both CBCT scans and PR.
• Data from CBCT scans and PR are interchangeable for human identification purposes.
• The findings support the consistent application of INTERPOL coding in forensic odontology using different radiographic techniques.