Bulletin of the International Association for Paleodontology

Sex Determination in Forensic Dentistry: Insights from Dental Resilience and Artificial Intelligence

Arofi Kurniawan — 2024-06-19

This literature review investigates the potential enhancement of sex determination accuracy in forensic dentistry through the application of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. A meticulous search of the literature has been conducted, focusing on the utilization of AI for sex determination based on dental attributes. A prominent study highlighted in this review primarily examines the implementation of algorithms like the Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), Naive Bayes, and decision trees, specifically for discerning tooth characteristics linked to sex determination. Compared to its counterparts, the MLP algorithm emerged as the most effective, demonstrating the highest accuracy and minimal error margin. Furthermore, the integration of AI in DNA tracing using dentine and pulp samples exhibited commendable accuracy in determining sex within dental specimens. Of particular significance are canine teeth, which play a pivotal role in sex determination due to their robust physical attributes encompassing size, strength, and resistance against degeneration and periodontal issues. Dental structures provide a reliable source for DNA analysis, with AI models effectively discerning sexual dimorphism within canine dental formations. The impressive efficacy of AI methodologies, notably exemplified by the MLP algorithm, significantly surpasses conventional techniques, establishing an outstanding accuracy rate of 84%.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, forensic dentistry, legal identity, sex determination

Reviewing in the Different Types of Heavy Materials in the Human Teeth

Hiwa Qadr — 2024-06-19

Heavy materials can be detected by recording long-term exposures to human teeth due to their stable nature. Teeth have mechanical properties such as hardness, elasticity, viscoelasticity and fracture behaviour. In this review, the level of cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic and etc. in human dental tissues was evaluated. In order to quantify these materials in teeth, various analytical techniques were used. The results indicated detectable levels of these heavy materials which varied between individuals and locations. Furthermore, there was a correlation between dietary habits, tooth type, age, gender, occupational exposures, and dental heavy material concentrations. Health implications of chronic exposure to heavy materials are highlighted by the findings, which emphasizes the importance of monitoring and mitigation of environmental sources.

Human Dental Wear on the Late Holocene Populations, Papua-Indonesia

Marlin Tolla — 2024-06-19

This study aims to find out the wear pattern and the explanations behind tooth wear in the Late Holocene population in the lowland part of Papua. For this, 51 permanent teeth from five different archaeological sites were investigated to find out the wear patterns of these teeth. In this study, wear patterns in incisors, canines, and premolars were described using the medium-resolution microscope Novex Holland. In addition, the wear and mechanical processes on the occlusal molars during the chewing cycle were interpreted. The results show that types of wear such as attrition, abrasion, erosion, and fracture are present in the incisors, canines and premolars which may be caused by the different types of food consumption. The chewing cycle method presents the wear frequencies, which vary between the sites. The teeth from Yomokho, Srobu, and Mamorikotey showed a highest impact of wear in the buccal phase I that may caused by the tough types of food consumption that require a high’shearing’ process. While the teeth from Namatota and Karas sites present the highest wear in phases lingual I and II, which could be attributed to the abrasive and rougher type of food texture, the process involves power strokes of crushing and grinding.

Analysis of Dental Collagen Cross-Linking and Carbonate Mineral Integration from Roman/Byzantine Sites in Jordan Using ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy

Abdulla Alshorman — 2024-06-19

Existing bioarchaeological studies have not deeply explored the analytical characterization of the chemical structure of dentine. Accordingly, this study used ATR-FTIR to analyze the dentine of 30 human teeth from six archaeological sites in Jordan dated from the Early Roman to the Early Byzantine periods. Besides collagen cross-linking, the factors (ratios) that may influence the strength of dentine were also analyzed and include the ratios of phsphate/amide I, crbonate/phosphate, and A-type cabonate/B-type carbonate. The results of the study point to statistically insignificant diffrences in the factors affectng tensile strength of dentine and thus teeth loading on the site level, while a statistically significan one is found among sites. The differences in these ratios is found to be attributed tooth loading and age at death.

Forensic Assessment of Trauma Using Periodontal Tissues Evaluation: possibilities and future perspectives

Zerina Hadžić — 2024-06-19

The article reviews the emerging field of periodontal tissue analysis in the context of forensic trauma assessment. Periodontal tissues are examined for their unique potential to improve the accuracy and scope of forensic investigations. They respond dynamically to different types of injuries, exhibiting distinct histological changes and features, thereby providing insights into the nature of injuries and their timing. Although this method is promising, it also poses notable challenges, including contamination risks, post mortem changes, and interpretation of histological results. Future implications focus on advances in molecular analysis, integration of imaging technology, and establishment of reference databases. Standardization, quality assurance, and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential to ensure reliable periodontal tissue analysis. In summary, periodontal tissue analysis is a dynamic and promising tool with significant implications in the forensics, provided it is used ethically and in accordance with the highest standards. This emerging field highlights the use of periodontal tissue analysis and commitment of forensic experts needed to unravel the complexities of trauma, offering a potential path in the field of forensic science.

Anomalies Causing Fatality in Individual from Beniamin Burial Ground (Classical/Late Antiquity Period), Shirak Province, Armenia

Anahit Yurevna Khudaverdyan — 2024-06-19

An individual whose skeleton was exhumed from the grave No. 2 exhibited healed, trauma of the right the midfacial, damage to the left frontal, parietal and temporal bones and occipital bone. We report of presence of osseous bridge on the left side of atlas, connecting posterior part of superior articular process to the posterior arch of atlas. Sulcus vertebrae for third part of vertebral artery over superior aspect of posterior arch of atlas, converted into foramen. This is a retrogressive and morphological phenomenon considered as Kimmerle anomaly. Double foramen transversarium were detected bilaterally in 2 cervical vertebrae (C5, C6). The course of vertebral artery may be distorted under such conditions. Many studies have reported an association between a above anomalies (foramen arcuale, foramen transversarium) and neurological symptoms such as vertigo and migraine et all. It can be argued that woman entered a sedentary lifestyle. Her cause of death is likely are associated with severe a trauma to the occipital bone when falling.

Dental age estimation in individuals from a Brazilian archaeological collection through the analysis of the pulp/tooth area ratio in canines

Denise Maciel — 2024-06-19

To estimate the age at death of archaeological individuals through a radiographic analysis of the pulp/tooth area ratio in canines, according to Cameriere et al. (2007)’s method and its corresponding version adapted and validated for the contemporary Brazilian population. Sixty canines recovered from 30 individuals in five pre-colonial archaeological sites (Buracão, Piaçaguera, Tenório, Moraes, and Capelinha) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, were examined. The specimens are under the custody of the Museum of Archeology and Ethnology at the University of São Paulo (MAE-USP). Pulp and tooth radiographic areas were measured by two calibrated examiners in the free software ImageJ®. The data were applied to formulas to obtain age estimates. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC, p≤0.05) was calculated to analyze intra- and inter-examiner agreement. The estimates were compared against those previously cataloged by the MAE-USP using other anthropological methods. There was a significant intra-examiner (ICC = 0.888 to 0.99) and inter-examiner (ICC = 0.842 to 0.908) reproducibility regarding the estimated ages. Our data indicated that the age estimates obtained through the analysis of pulp/dental area ratio were similar to, or greater than, those previously determined by techniques commonly used in bioarchaeology. The method described herein can be accurately applied to individuals from a Brazilian archaeological collection, with the possibility of estimating their age based on the examination of a single tooth. Yet, this method should be ideally combined with other techniques and further studies should be performed with individuals from different archaeological populations.