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Odontological identification of fire victims —potentialities and limitations

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Abstract

A retrospective study was performed to analyse the power of odontological evidence in burn victims. The material comprised 292 single fire cases registered at 4 centers of forensic odontology in Scandinavia (DK: Aarhus, Copenhagen; N: Oslo; S: Goteborg) covering a 10-year period. Filed antemortem (am) and postmortem (pm) data were critically reviewed and registered. New systems for classification of the degree of injuries to the teeth and jaws and of the quality of dental records were developed. Matching dental am-pm units/features were recorded using the tooth as unit. Units were scored as either ordinary or extraordinary if the frequency of occurrence in a Danish reference population was ≥ 10% or < 10%, respectively. The ID conclusion of a single case was classified into one of the categories: no conclusion, ID possible, ID probable or ID established, depending on the number of ordinary/extraordinary matching units. All age groups were represented. Most fatal burns occurred in house fires (62%) and there was a preponderance of males (71%). Detailed written records supplied by single or by systematic radiographs were available in 71% of cases. About 50% of burn victims were classified into the no-injury group and approximately 25% of cases showed injuries to the anterior teeth only. The number and complexity of dental restorations increased with age. The dental examination was a powerful tool in identification of burn victims. Thus, dental identity (ID) was established in 61% of burn victims and dental evidence assisted the identification in another 31% (ID possible 19%; ID probable 12%). The improvement in dental health status seems to interfere with the discriminating potential of dental restoration as reflected in a lower fraction of established dental ID among fire victims younger than 20 years old. General use of denture marking would improve the proportion of established dental ID. Oral radiographs play an important role in personal identification and systematic exposures are therefore valuable tools.

Zusammenfassung

In einer retrospektiven Studie von 292 odontologisch untersuchten Brandleichen aus vier rechtsodontologischen Zentren in Skandinavien aus den Jahren 1981–1991 wurde die Bedeutung der odontologischen Identifizierung ausgewertet. Alle Altersstufen waren einbezogen. Ante- (am) und postmortem (pm) Daten wurden kritisch untersucht und neue Systeme für eine Klassifikation der Verbrennung und der Qualität der Behandlungskarteien, Röntgenaufnahmen eingeschlossen, wurden benutzt. Übereinstimmende am. und pm. Informationen wurden registriert und diejenigen, die eine Frequenz < 10% in der dänischen Referenzpopulation hatten, wurden als ungewöhnlich angesehen. Folgende Rückschlüsse, abhängig von gewöhnlichen und ungewöhnlichen übereinstimmenden Informationen wurden gezogen: keine Aussage oder odontologische Identität möglich, wahrscheinlich, sicher. Die meisten Brandleichen stammten von Hausbränden (71%). 50% wiesen keine Brandschäden an den Zähnen auf und weitere 25% nur Schäden an den Frontzähnen. Behandlungskarteien mit einer oder mehreren Röntgenaufnahmen wurden in 71 % der Fälle registriert. Odontologische Identität wurde in 61 % der Fälle festgestellt und der odontologische Vergleich war in anderen 31% hilfreich bei der Identifikation (odontologische Identität wahrscheinlich in 19% und möglich in 12%). Bei Brandleichen < 20 Jahren war eine odontologische Identitätsbestimmung nicht so häufig möglich, da weniger Restaurationen vorhanden waren. Das Vorhandensein von Röntgenaufnahmen war wichtig für viele Identifikationen. Ein Röntgenstatus und systematische Bildeinstellung am Patienten (wie Bite-wing) werden empfohlen. Kennzeichnung von Prothesen könnte zu einem höheren Prozentsatz odontologischer Identifizierungen von Brandleichen führen und wird ebenfalls empfohlen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, University of Copenhagen, 20, Nørre Allé, DK-2200, Copenhagen N, Denmark

    Lis Andersen

  2. Department of Oral Anatomy and Forensic Odontology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

    Marianne Juhl

  3. Section of Forensic Odontology, Department of Oral Pathology, University of Oslo, Norway

    Tore Solheim

  4. Section of Forensic Odontology, Department of Oral Pathology, University of Goteborg, Sweden

    Helene Borrman

Authors
  1. Lis Andersen
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  2. Marianne Juhl
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  3. Tore Solheim
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  4. Helene Borrman
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Andersen, L., Juhl, M., Solheim, T. et al. Odontological identification of fire victims —potentialities and limitations. Int J Leg Med 107, 229–234 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01245479

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01245479

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