Identificação humana por meio da radiologia odontológica

Abstract

Forensic Dentistry (OL) is a branch of dentistry that aims to investigate the phenomena that have or may have affected human beings, who may still be alive, dead, or found only in their skeletal remains. It is the science that has its knowledge focused on dentistry in order to help in the resolution of obstacles in favor of justice. This paper aims to discuss the importance of radiology and dental imaging in human identification in natural disasters, through a narrative review. For centuries, teeth have been a valuable tool in methods of identifying individuals, from which other important primary information for investigation, such as DNA and fingerprints, have been lost. Dental tissues and materials are highly resistant when exposed to high temperatures, and thus serve as an excellent material for forensic examinations. Image exams, especially X-rays, are very significant in OL, making it possible to use them for the identification of any human being, being highly reliable and low cost. The identification of post- mortem beings is one of the important areas of knowledge and research of medicine and OL, because both work through the same material, the human body, whether it is in putrefied, charred, or skeletonized states. Thus, we conclude that dental radiographs are of great legal value, both in civil and criminal matters, and we must recognize that there are several other ways to make such recognition, but with the technological advancement of current times, imaging is taking more space and becoming more dominant and efficient in several dental areas, including in OL.