Forensic Identification through Denture Tags: Performance under Stimulated Environmental Conditions

To evaluate the survivability and readability of near-field communication (NFC) chips embedded in complete and partial dentures after being stimulated to different environmental conditions.

A total of 56 samples of complete and partial dentures having different materials were embedded with the LINQS^® Micro NFC tags (10 mm flexible printed circuit [FPC]) powered by the NXP NTAG213 chip and sealed with clear auto-polymerizing acrylic. The samples underwent six environmental challenges for predetermined time-temperature or time-pH schedules. Tag readability, data retention, and structural integrity were systematically evaluated pre- and post-exposure using an NFC reader application on a smartphone.

Tags remained scannable and readable in all specimens after exposure to different stimulated conditions. No signal loss and slight physical degradation were observed during the exposure to extreme temperatures. The scannable time for tags also differs in different situations.

The research demonstrates the compatibility and robust functionality of NFC tags when embedded in complete and partial dentures. Even severe thermal assault did not obliterate data and scannable time in most samples, supporting routine incorporation of scannable labels for rapid, unequivocal person identification and data communication in mass fatality and medical scenarios.