Mobile Images in the visualisation of characteristic dental features

Abstract

Identification in forensic odontology requires that a known characteristic of an individual’s dentition be compared with the same characteristic of the unknown decedent. A vast number of bodies remain unidentified at medico-legal laboratory facilities in South Africa (SA). Determining the extent of this occurrence in SA is important, as these unidentified bodies have many social and economic consequences. When a positive identification has been established, investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death can begin. The positive identification of a body allows for closure to be obtained by that individual’s family and friends.

In SA a number of factors render forensic identification of unknown individuals challenging. Many South Africans do not have access to modern dentistry, and consequently do not have ante-mortem dental records. In low socioeconomic areas of SA, where individuals might not have access to oral healthcare, studies show that 1 in 3 of those individuals has access to a smart phone. This study aimed at investigating mobile images, hereafter referred to as selfies, as a source of dental information in the form of characteristic dental features. Results of this study were disappointing as identifiable dental features could only be seen in 61 (5.6%) of the collected images (N=1098). The low number of useable selfies collected in this study could be the result of a lack of smiles and the poor quality of the images received. Individuals with poor dental aesthetics would commonly choose to take a selfie with a closed mouth where their teeth would not be visible. The most commonly identified dental features included: diastemas (49.2%), dental jewellery (37.7%), crowding (16.4%), difference in tooth height (16.4%) discoloured (8.2%) and missing teeth (8.2%). The importance of good oral health and an aesthetic smile cannot be over emphasised. Awareness of the importance of selfies in forensic identification should be increased.