Review Article
Year : 2017 | Volume : 2 | Issue : 1 | Page : 30 - 33
Truth from Untruth: Dental Pulp and Its Role in Forensic Odontology – A Retrospective Review
Jayalakshmi Kumaraswamy, Jaya Naidu1, Raghunandan Bangalore Nagarajachar, Mahesh Batalahalli Sreenivas Reddy2
From the Departments of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, 1 Paedodontics and 2 Oral Medicine and Radiology,
Vydehi Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Address for correspondence:
Dr. Jayalakshmi Kumaraswamy, E‐mail: kswmy@rediffmail.com
Abstract
Forensic identification by its nature is a multi-disciplinary approach relying on positive identification methodology. This branch dealing with the identification of the deceased has many maxims, the best known of which, is that every contact leaves its trace. The identification of dental remains are of primary importance when the deceased person is skeletonized, decomposed, burned, or dismembered. A google literature search was done on various studies done using dental pulp in forensic odontology. Based on the available data, the details were analysed and reviewed. Pulp plays a pivital role in forensic odontology. Pulpal tissue can be used for molecular analysis to determine Age, Sex and Blood group antigen. Apart from these, the extracted DNA from Pulp can be used for Personal Identification. Odontoblasts present in pulp can be used to assess age as well as the days of death. To conclude Dental pulp has a high potential value in forensic odontology.
Key Words: Age estimation, blood group antigen, dental pulp, forensic odontology, sex determination
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
How to cite this article:
Kumaraswamy J, Naidu J, Nagarajachar RB, Reddy MB. Truth from untruth: Dental pulp and its role in forensic odontology – a retrospective review. Int J Forensic Odontol 2017;2:30-3.
