Radiographic determination: An upcoming aid in forensic radiology

Abstract

The identification technique utilizing conventional radiography is of much importance in forensic odontology for age and gender determination. Various radiographic images that can be used in forensic odontology are intraoral periapical radiographs, lateral oblique radiographs, cephalometric radiographs, panoramic radiographs, and advanced imaging techniques. Recently, digital radiographs have also gained importance in comparison between antemortem images recorded in dental offices and centers with postmortem radiographic images for individual identification. This along with the facility of internet has made dentomaxillofacial radiographs, a useful tool in forensic science. This article aims for the evolution in forensic radiology and to appraise their contribution in the field of forensic odontology.

Keywords

• age estimation
• cone beam computed tomography
• digital method
• forensic odontology
• personal identification