Comparative forensic significance of human dentition in modern and ancient samples

Abstract

The present research was undertaken with the major aim to introduce population specific dental standards from odontometric and molecular analysis to elemental and radiological analysis for identification of unknown teeth from the known ones in circumstances of incident of mass catastrophes (natural or man-made), accidental or criminal cases where such matters are not only of concern for rapid response but are for humanitarian forensic actions. The study sample included 500 molar teeth (250 modern and 250 ancient human tooth), 500 canines and about 200 ancient mandibular and maxillary segments with some intact teeth. Modern teeth were collected from the individuals who belonged to North-Western region of India, specifically belonging to states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh (HP), Chandigarh and western part of Uttar Pradesh (UP). Ancient teeth and jaw segments retrieved from skeletal remains exhumed from an abandoned well at Ajnala (Amritsar, Punjab). The present thesis is projected to enhance our knowledge about their credentials and geographical affinities of Ajnala victims; the results from modern samples provides indispensable understanding on odontometrics, elementary profile and molecular profile for reference in future research for comparative purposes. It can help forensic personnel to identify bodies, especially where other methods of identification like facial features, fingerprints or nuclear DNA typing cannot yield satisfactory results as in cases of badly decomposed bodies, burnt remains, mass disasters, etc. also when comparative identification (based on the direct comparison of post-mortem dental profiles with ante-mortem dental records of the deceased) can t be done due to lack of ante-mortem evidence or data. newline