Forensic endodontics and national identity programs in India.

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Dental Medicine
• Biometrics

Background:

• National identity programs utilize biometrics like fingerprints and iris scans for identification.
• Biometric data is crucial for forensic purposes and disaster victim identification.
• In cases of severe burns or decomposition, traditional biometrics may be compromised.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the significance of dental profiling in national identification programs.
• To emphasize the role of endodontic procedures and their radiographic records in personal identification.
• To propose the inclusion of dental profiling in national identification initiatives.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing national identification program capabilities.
• Analysis of the forensic value of dental records, including endodontic radiographs.
• Exploration of anatomical and procedural variations recorded in dental imaging.

Main Results:

• Dental profiling, especially through endodontic records, provides a robust identification method when fingerprints are unavailable.
• Radiographs from endodontic treatments capture unique details of tooth anatomy, restorations, and root canal fillings.
• These radiographic records are invaluable for identifying individuals in mass disasters, accidents, or criminal investigations.

Conclusions:

• Dental profiling, leveraging endodontic radiographic evidence, should be integrated into national identification frameworks.
• This integration enhances identification capabilities, particularly in challenging forensic scenarios.
• Root canal procedure records offer a persistent and unique identifier for individuals.