Contribution of pantomography to forensic odontology

Dento-maxillary pantomography is an excellent means of investigating the oral sphere and its maxillary connections. This type of radiographic recording can be particularly useful in forensic odontology when trying to identify a person from certain selected indications [9] or from a greater range of data [7]. In the first case, the original picture provides sufficient support for the evaluation of the reference indications. In the second case, our proposed method should enable the expert to normalize his examinations with the assistance of analytical patterns consistent with a conventional classification. The processing of the pictures submitted to the expert is performed by the use of 3 different analyzers which facilitate the integral transcription of the data. It thus becomes possible for the expert to establish a rigorously exact relation through comparison and assimilation of previously recorded standards. This method should permit specialists to construct information files for all particularly exposed professional groups. It is suited for data processing of the collected formulas and may allow certain statistical evaluations (e.g. pathological, anthropological).