Smile photographs as a method for human identification: case report series
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2317-2770.v25i2p54-62Keywords:
Photography, Dental, Forensic Dentistry, Forensic Anthropology, SmilingAbstract
In situations where bodies are in an advanced state of putrefaction, the analysis of the dental arches is an important method for human identification, since teeth have unique characteristics for each individual. As smartphones with cameras become more popular, new parameters in the routine of criminal investigations arise, given the frequent use of self-portraits (selfies) on social networks. The present study aims to report three cases of human identification performed at the Medico-Legal Institute of São Luís (State of Maranhão, Brazil), in which the method of comparison between photographs of the person smiling while still alive and post-mortem (PM) records was used for the identification process. Anthropological studies were carried out to trace the biological profile by estimating sex, age, ancestry and stature. Then, a visual morphological analysis and computerized outline of the smile line in AM and PM photographs were done through digital image manipulation. In all cases, the comparison between AM and PM records showed numerous coincidences and no divergences, leading to positive identification. Hence, we conclude that smile photographs can be great allies in human identification. The reports showed a promising result from the use of smiles photographs; however, as it is a recent technique and due to the lack of research in the literature, it is essential to produce more scientific studies to accurately determine its applicability.
Downloads
References
Pereira CP, Santos JC. How to do identify single cases according to the quality assurance from IOFOS. the positive identification of an unidentified body by dental parameters: A case of homicide. J Forensic Leg Med. 2013;20(3):169-73. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2012.06.004
Lima KF, Figueiredo BMJ, Guimarães MA, Silva RHA. Registro de informações odontológicas pós morte com fins de identificação humana: descrição do protocolo utilizado no LAF-CEMEL. Rev Bras Odontol Leg RBOL. 2018;5(1):48–60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21117/rbol.v5i1.123
Belotti L, Rabbi R, Pereira SDR, Barbora RS, Carvalho KS, Pacheco KTS. É possível identificar positivamente um corpo carbonizado somente por dois dentes? Relato De Um Caso Pericial. Rev Bras Odontol Leg RBOL. 2015;2(2):105–15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21117/rbol.v2i2.29
Sales EO, Oliveira MI, Villalobos B. O potencial da odontologia legal sem o uso de exames radiológicos para a identificação humana. Rev Bras Odontol Leg RBOL. 2018;5(3):52–61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21117/rbol.v5i3.214
Caplova Z, Obertova Z, Gibelli DM, De Angelis D, Mazzarelli D, Sforza C, et al. Personal identification of deceased persons: an overview of the current methods based on physical appearance. J Forensic Sci. 2018;63(3):662–71. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.13643
Biancalana RC, Vieira MGDM, Figueiredo BM, Vicente SAF, Dezem TU, Silva RHA. Desastres em massa: a utilização do protocolo de DVI da Interpol pela Odontologia Legal. Rev Bras Odontol Leg RBOL. 2015;2(2):48–62. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21117/rbol.v2i2.38
Abduo J, Bennamoun M. Three-dimensional image registration as a tool for forensic odontology: a preliminary investigation. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2013;34(3):260–6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/PAF.0b013e31829f6a29
Tinoco RLR, Martins EC, Daruge-Júnior E, Daruge E, Prado FB, Caria PHF. Dental anomalies and their value in human identification: a case report. J Forensic Odontostomatol. 2010;28(1):39–43.
Bollinger SA, Brumit PC, Schrader BA, Senn DR. GrinLine identification using digital imaging and Adobe Photoshop. J Forensic Sci. 2009;54(2):422-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00971.x
Silva RF, Franco A, Pícoli FF, Rodrigues LG, Tolentino PHMP, Mendes SDSC. Delineamento dental computadorizado das bordas incisais, em fotografias de sorriso, com finalidade pericial. Rev Bras Odontol Leg RBOL. 2016;3(2):74-82. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21117/rbol.v3i2.7
Badam RK, Sownetha T, Babu DBG, Waghray S, Reddy L, Garlapati K, et al. Virtopsy: Touch-free autopsy. J Forensic Dent Sci. 2017;9(1):42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/jfo.jfds_7_16
Hefner JT. Cranial nonmetric variation and estimating ancestry. J Forensic Sci. 2009;54(5):985–95. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01118.x
Navega D,Coelho C, Vicente R, Ferreira MT, Wasterlain S, Cunha E. AncesTrees: ancestry estimation with randomized decision trees. Int J Legal Med 2015;129(5):1145–53. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-014-1050-9
Brůžek J, Santos F, Dutailly B, Murail P, Cunha E. Validation and reliability of the sex estimation of the human os coxae using freely available DSP2 software for bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2017;164(2):440–9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23282
Brooks S, Suchey JM. Skeletal age determination based on the os pubis: A comparison of the Acsádi-Nemeskéri and Suchey-Brooks methods. Hum Evol. 1990;5(3):227–38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02437238
Buckberry JL, Chamberlain AT. Age estimation from the auricular surface of the ilium: A revised method. Am J Phys Anthropol 2002;119(3):231–9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.10130
Nicodemo RA, Moraes LC, Médici FE. Tabela cronológica da mineralização dos dentes permanentes entre brasileiros. Rev Fac Odont São José dos Campos. 1974;3(1):55-6.
De Mendonça MC. Estimation of height from the length of long bones in a Portuguese adult population. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2000;112(1):39–48. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1096-8644(200005)112:1<39::AID-AJPA5>3.0.CO;2-#
Walker PL. Sexing Skulls Using Discriminant Function Analysis of Visually Assessed Traits. Am J Phys Anthropol. 2008;136(1):39–50. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.20776
Meindl RS, Lovejoy CO. Ectocranial suture closure: A revised method for the determination of skeletal age at death based on the lateral‐anterior sutures. Am J Phys Anthropol [Internet]. 1985 [Acesso em 2020 abr. 5];68(1):57–66. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4061602/. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330680106
Brasil. Presidência da República, Casa Civil, Subchefia para Assuntos Jurídicos. Lei nº 5.081, de 24 de agosto de 1966. Regula o exercício da Odontologia [Internet]. Brasília, DF; 1966. [Acesso em 2020 abr. 5]. Disponível em: https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l5081.htm
Cunha E. Considerações sobre a antropologia forense na atualidade. Rev Bras Odontol Leg RBOL. 2017;4(2):110–7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21117/rbol.v4i2.133
Conceição LD, Ouriques CS, Busnello AF, Lund RG. Importance of dental records and panoramic radiograph in human identification: a case report. Rev Bras Odontol Leg RBOL. 2018;5(1):68–75. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21117/rbol.v5i1.152
Lorkiewicz-Muszyńska D, Przystanska A, Glapinski M, Kociemba W, Zaba C. Difficulties in personal identification caused by unreliable dental records. J Forensic Leg Med. 2013;20(8):1135–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2013.09.003
Figueira-Junior E, de Moura LCL. A importância dos arcos dentários na identificação humana. Rev Bras Odontol. 2014;71(1):22-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18363/rbo.v71i1.488
Sorokowska A, Oleskiewicz A, Frackowiak T, Pisanski K, Chmiel A, Sorokowski P. Selfies and personality: Who posts self-portrait photographs? Pers Individ Dif. 2016;90:119–23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.10.037
Miranda GE, Freitas SG, Maia LVA, Melani RFH. An unusual method of forensic human identification: use of selfie photographs. Forensic Sci Int. 2016;263:14–7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.04.028
Araujo LG, Biancalana RC, Terada ASSD, Paranhos LR, Machado CEP, Silva RHA. A identificação humana de vítimas de desastres em massa: a importância e o papel da Odontologia Legal. RFO – UPF. 2013;18(2):224–9.
Fernandes LCC, Bento MIC, Oliveira JA, Soriano EP, Santiago BM, Rabello PM. Identificação odontológica post-mortem por meio de fotografias do sorriso: revisão de literatura. Rev Bras Odontol Leg RBOL. 2017;4(3):57–66. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21117/rbol.v4i3.116
Krishan K, Kanchan T, Garg AK. Dental Evidence in Forensic Identification – An Overview, Methodology and Present Status. Open Dent J. 2015;9:250–6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/1874210601509010250
Matsuda S, Yoshida H, Ebata K, Shimada I, Yoshimura H. Forensic odontology with digital technologies: A systematic review. J Forensic Leg Med. 2020;74:102004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2020.102004
Nagi R, Aravinda K, Rakesh N, Jain S, Kaur N, Mann AK. Digitization in forensic odontology: A paradigm shift in forensic investigations. J Forensic Dent Sci. 2019;11(1):5-10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/jfo.jfds_55_19
Karyakarte G, Dive A, Bodhade A, Khandekar S. Digital image fraudulence: A curse to forensic odontology. J Forensic Dent Sci. 2018;10(2):67-70. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/jfo.jfds_16_18
Forrest A. Forensic odontology in DVI: current practice and recent advances. Forensic Sci Res. 2019;4(4):316-30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2019.1678710
Mou QN, Ji LL, Liu Y, Zhou PR, Han MQ, Zhao JM, et al. Three-dimensional superimposition of digital models for individual identification. Forensic Sci Int. 2021;318:110597. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110597
Silva RF, Franco A, Souza JB, Picoli FF, Mendes SD, Nunes FG. Human identification through the analysis of smile photographs. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2015;36(2):71–4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/PAF.0000000000000148
Reesu GV, Woodsend B, Mânica S, Revie GF, Brown NL, Mossey PA. Automated Identification from Dental Data (AutoIDD): A new development in digital forensics. For Sci Int. 2020;309:110218. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110218
De Angelis D, Cattaneo C, Grandi M. Dental superimposition: A pilot study for standardising the method. Int J Legal Med [Internet]. 2007 [Acesso em 2020 abr. 5];121(6):501–6. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17851676/. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00414-007-0198-y
Terada ASSD, Leite NLP, Silveira TCP, Secchieri JM, Guimarães MA, Silva RHA. Identificação humana em odontologia legal por meio de registro fotográfico de sorriso: relato de caso. Revista de Odontologia da Unesp. 2011;40(4):199-202.
Silva RF, Pereira SD, Prado FB, Daruge-Júnior E, Daruge E. Forensic odontology identification using smile photograph analysis – case reports. J Forensic Odontostomatol. 2008;26(1):12-7.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2020 Priscila Letícia Vieira Kitagawa, Frederico Mamede Santos Furtado, Victor Jacometti, Ricardo Henrique Alves da Silva
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Autores que publicam nesta revista concordam com os seguintes termos:
- Autores mantém os direitos autorais e concedem à revista o direito de primeira publicação, que permite o compartilhamento do trabalho com reconhecimento da autoria e publicação inicial nesta revista.
- Autores têm autorização para assumir contratos adicionais separadamente, para distribuição não-exclusiva da versão do trabalho publicada nesta revista (ex.: publicar em repositório institucional ou como capítulo de livro), com reconhecimento de autoria e publicação inicial nesta revista.
