Análise dos principais métodos aplicados na identificação humana em estudos de odontologia legal: uma revisão de literatura

Abstract

Since the human race became curious about its origins, stories, and past events, the analysis, both ante-mortem and post-mortem, of bodies and the traces left on them (or by them) proves to be of paramount importance, especially when it comes to human identification. The investigation of marks, scars, and anatomical differences found in an individual's physical constitution is essential for determining their history, from birth to after the moment of death. This review aims to identify and understand the main techniques used by forensic odontologists and their application in the field of human identification, whether in living organisms or in a cadaveric state. To carry out this work, books acquired by the author or available in the digital collection of the University of Caxias do Sul were read and cited, in addition to scientific articles selected through keywords: "forensic dentistry", "human identification", "methods" on the BDTD, PUBMED, and SCIELO platforms.This literature review indicates that most of the main techniques used by forensic odontologists have accuracy dependent on the presence of ante-mortem records of the individual, as seen in the assessment of dental arches, palatal rugoscopy, and paranasal sinuses. Techniques such as cheiloscopy and bite mark evaluation are necessary in cases where the assessment of criminal scenes is conducted, as these scenarios provide more materials for the use of these techniques. DNA evaluation is the most reliable technique, with the exception of its use in identical twins; however, its high cost renders the technique impractical in many situations. Identification through smile photography is a recent technique that is increasingly gaining prominence in our current context. It is applicable in cases where there are no dental records for comparative methodologies. In addition to being used for establishing physical identity, techniques such as palatal rugoscopy, cheiloscopy, dental arch evaluation, and paranasal sinus assessment also demonstrated accuracy in establishing the biological profile, including ancestry, age range estimation, and gender determination. It is the responsibility of the forensic odontologist to make an informed choice and use the correct technique that contributes effectively to the identification of the body, based on the characteristics it presents at the time. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]