Effectiveness of virtual reality and 3D digital tools in forensic dental education and research - a preliminary survey.

Virtual reality (VR) and three-dimensional (3D) digital technologies have significantly influenced various fields in recent years, including medicine and dentistry, as they retain depth and spatial information. This pilot study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental professionals in Gujarat regarding the effectiveness of VR and 3D digital tools in forensic dental education and research. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted through an online self-administered questionnaire consisting of 20 questions circulated among dental practitioners in Gujarat, India.

Reliability of aspartic acid racemization rate for chronological age estimation-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The biochemical approach of dental age using aspartic acid racemization has been widely reported. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the reliability and accuracy of dental age estimation using aspartic acid racemization rate analysis.

Design: Eight research databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Cochrane, MEDLINE, TRIP, Web of Science, and Scopus) were utilised to gather and assess published literatures in compliance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and reported in PROSPERO (CRD42020208877).

Geometric morphometric analysis for sex determination using lateral cephalograms in Indian population: A preliminary study.

Background: Orthodontic science centers primarily on the growth, development and advancement of the craniofacial structures. Geometric morphometrics (GMM) is a new approach for shape identification in forensic sciences.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the shape variation in the Indian sample in order to assess sexual dimorphism by application of two-dimensional GMM.

Assessment of the accuracy of 3D printed teeth by various 3D printers in forensic odontology.

Additive manufacturing technology has benefited many sectors, and its use in forensic sciences has opened up a variety of new opportunities for analysing and exhibiting forensic materials. However, to perform analytical procedures on 3D printed bones and teeth in forensic odontology, the metric and morphological precision of the printed replicas must first be validated. To address this, the present study was undertaken using 12 extracted human teeth that were 3D printed using five different techniques.

Virtual reality and its transformation in forensic education and research practices.

Documentation and evidence analysis are major components in forensic investigation; hence two-dimensional (2D) photographs along with three-dimensional (3D) models and data are used to accomplish this task. Data generated through 3D scanning and photogrammetry are generally visualised on a computer screen. However, spatial details are lost on the visualisation of 3D data on 2D computer screens.

A literature review on dental autopsy - an invaluable investigative technique in forensics.

Forensic odontology is a specialty of dental sciences that deals with dental evidence in the interest of the justice system. The science of autopsy has been developing from the ancient times even before the popularization of general medicine. The objective of a medico-legal autopsy is to identify significant clues for an ongoing forensic investigation.

A preliminary study to quantify the efficacy of 3D data acquisition for human bone replication.

Background: Three-dimensional imaging is a rapidly growing technology that has revealed exciting insights in disparate fields of research, especially in medicine, forensics, and archaeology. Recent advancements in this technology have also made a remarkable impact in the field of anthropology and odontology. A major benefit of this technology is that they offer effective methods of creating digital records that can aid in physical documentation and can be digitally stored for later assessment and research.

A detailed review of forensic facial reconstruction techniques.

Facial reconstruction is an effective forensic technique that can help recreate a victim's facial appearance from the skull. It is typically used to assist law enforcement agencies to identify missing deceased persons. Reconstruction techniques are usually based on the relationship between the underlying hard tissues, such as bone structure, and soft tissues such as the facial muscles and facial features.

Forensic Identification of Endodontically Treated Teeth after Heat-Induced Alterations: An In Vitro Study.

Objective: The study aimed to highlight the relationship between forensic science and endodontics by illustrating CBCT records can be used as legal evidence for forensic analysis and evaluate the effect of elevated temperature on the endodontically treated teeth.

Methods: The present study was conducted on 40 extracted permanent mandibular premolars, which were divided into two groups based on predetermined incineration temperature: Group I - 400°C & Group II - 800°C subjected for 15 minutes holding time in a digital burnout furnace. The root canal treatment was performed for both the groups and a Pre-incineration CBCT scan was taken for both the groups as an ante-mortem data.

Mental health of forensic odontologists in Covid-19: An Indian perspective.

Forensic autopsies provided guidance and clarification on the transmission of and the safety of working with Covid-19. However, the outbreak induced not just a socio-economic crisis, but a fast-paced psychological distress worldwide. Various psychological and mental health problems, including stress, anxiety, depression, frustration and uncertainty, have gradually emerged.

Tattoo in forensic science: An Indian perspective.

- Tattoos refer to various skin markings done by impregnating the skin's epidermis with varied pigments. In forensic science, tattoos are considered as secondary identification markers and can be used for positive identification. Indian society is a unique blend of traditional and modern religious and social practices.

Effective approaches to three-dimensional digital reconstruction of fragmented human skeletal remains using laser surface scanning.

The preservation and reconstruction of anthropological and archaeological remains has been given considerable attention in recent years, particularly within the fields of forensic science and palaeoanthropology. However, few studies have tapped the potential of using 3D technology to reconstruct, remodel and recontour remains and artefacts for the purpose of human identification. The aim of this study was to use 3D technology for the reconstruction and remodelling of fragmented and missing elements of skeletal remains.

Digital reconstruction of fragmented tooth remains in forensic context.

Forensic odontology majorly focuses on the identification of victims through the analyses of oral and para-oral structures. Exposure to high temperatures and trauma can occur in mass disasters and may lead to the fracturing and fragmentation of teeth. These fragments may become very fragile and easily damaged while handling.

Qualitative assessment of the dental groove pattern and its uniqueness for forensic identification.

Introduction: Teeth are invaluable in both the living and the deceased for forensic identification and profiling purposes. The occlusal surface patterns in the molars of an individual depend on both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The individualistic nature of the groove pattern can be used to determine the identity of an individual by the process of comparative identification.

Tooth reconstruction in forensic situations through dental materials: An anatomical art.

Introduction: Dental identification is a frequently applied method of forensic investigation, in mass disasters, accidents, and criminal investigations, where the human remains are decomposed, charred, or skeletonized. However, in such events, teeth may dislodge due to postmortem loss or mishandling during transporting and packaging which may further hamper with the identification of an individual.

Aim: To investigate the potential for reconstruction of missing teeth utilizing dental materials.