Panoramic and periapical radiographs utilization in Disaster Victim Identification (DVI): narrative review

Objectives: The purpose of this narrative review is to discover radiographic images in panoramic and periapical radiographs that are used as identifiers and to compare the use of panoramic and periapical radiographs in identification based on DVI. Review: The databases used in this narrative review are Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. A total of 1258 search results appeared based on keywords. The search results were selected by title and abstract according to their relevance to the review topic, then results are selected again based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Total of 38 literatures were reviewed. This review shows radiographic identifiers used in panoramic radiographs are tooth restorations, crown, Root Canal Treatment (RCT), dental bridge, dental implants, maxillary sinus, rectilinear metal plate, orthodontic brackets, tooth anomaly, and root morphology. The radiographic identifiers used in periapical radiograph are tooth restorations, PSA, tooth anomaly, and root morphology. In this review, 53.8% of the literatures used panoramic radiograph for identification, whereas 46.2% used periapical radiograph. Conclusion: This review concluded that the most used radiographic identifier in panoramic radiograph is tooth restoration (57,1%) whereas in periapical radiograph is RCT (83,3%). Panoramic radiography were used in 53,8% of the literatures in this review, it was used more than periapical radiography.

Role of Forensic Anthropology in Disaster Victim Identification (DVI)

DNA profiling is one of the most dependable and well-organized methods for recognizing bodies or losing body parts in disaster victim identification (DVI). This necessitates the collection of a post-mortem DNA sample and an antemortem DNA sample from the alleged victim or a biological related people. Collecting an acceptable ante mortem sample is usually effortless, but because of the varying degree of preservation of the human remains after any disaster and very high risk of cross-contamination of DNA, obtaining an adequate standard post mortem sample under cold DVI conditions is difficult. Various post mortem DNA samples from a deceased person in DVI can be obtained from muscle, bone including femur and ribs, teeth, and bone marrow with the slightest possibility of contamination. DVI (disaster victim identification) has been used to identify deceased people in various famous disasters like the 9/11 attack of the terrorist group al-Qaeda against the United States, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur that was shot down on 17 July 2014 while flying over eastern Ukraine. All 283 passengers and 15 crew members were killed; the 26/11 attack on Mumbai in 2008 led by terrorist organizations caused 166 deaths, excluding nine terrorists. According to Interpol protocol, four steps for identification are given importance: 1 – Site examination, which lasts for days to weeks. 2 – Post-mortem data include fingerprints, odontology, DNA profiling and physical indication. 3 – Ante-mortem data collected from victim houses. 4 – Reconciliation where specialists identify the victim from the data collected.

Optimisation of an Automated DNA Extraction Method for Bone and Teeth Samples and Applicability to Two Forensic Cases

Bones and teeth are highly challenging sources of DNA in forensic science and human remains identification, requiring multiple laborious processing steps. In this study, we compared an organic phenol–chloroform method to the QIAamp® DNA Investigator and PrepFiler Express BTA™ methods in order to identify the most efficient automated DNA extraction method for bones and teeth. Results from individual tooth powder replicates showed that the PrepFiler Express BTA™ method extracted the highest yields of DNA per mg of tooth powder, returning a minimum of 20/21 PowerPlex® 21 loci. Samples extracted using the organic extraction or QIAamp® DNA Investigator methods produced PowerPlex® 21 profiles displaying a ski-slope morphology. The improved DNA quality and yield from the PrepFiler Express BTA™ method was verified using aged samples, where higher DNA yields per mg of powder and more informative profiles were obtained. Furthermore, the PrepFiler Express BTA™ method subsequently provided useful DNA profiles for two forensic cases involving degraded bone samples. Overall, this study showed that the PrepFiler Express BTA™ chemistry is a reliable and robust method for DNA extraction from bone and teeth samples, and will allow larger numbers of samples to be efficiently extracted in the event of a Disaster Victim Identification event.

Comparison of maxillary sinus on radiograph among males and females

Background: An obstacle in forensic odontology is an incomplete body caused by post-mortem damage. The problem can be solved by using lateral cephalometric radiographs for victim identification. Sex determination can be performed on the maxillary sinus, which is the largest among the paranasal sinuses. Purpose: This study aims to analyse the maxillary sinuses’ width and height on lateral cephalometric radiographs among male and female subjects. Methods: The study samples were 60 lateral cephalometric radiographs (30 males and 30 females) between the ages of 20 and 40, with complete permanent dentition (or third molar absence). The height and the width of maxillary sinus measurement were performed using measurement tools of EzDent-i Vatech Software. Results: The average width of the maxillary sinus on males was 40.60 ± 1.56 mm, and the height was 35.02 ± 2.09 mm, while the width and the height on females were 36.93 ± 1.30 mm and 29.72 ± 1.76 mm, respectively. The independent t-test reveals a significant difference (p<0.05) between males and females, both in the maxillary sinus’s width and height on the lateral cephalometric radiograph. Conclusion: The maxillary sinus in males is larger than in females, it opening up possibilities for disaster victim identification.

Development of Social Cost and Benefit Analysis (SCBA) in the Maqāṣid Shariah Framework: Narratives on the Use of Drones for Takaful Operators

Takaful operators are part of the Islamic financial institutions that are expected to achieve the commercial and social objectives by their stakeholders particularly the takaful participants (policyholders). First, this study aims to postulate a new framework to measure cost effectiveness by including the social and economic benefits of drone-assisted technology in the context of maqāṣid Shariah. Second, the study intends to investigate how the takaful industry can benefit from the drone-assisted technology, particularly in terms of cost reduction. This paper presents an early finding that forms part of a bigger research project which is focusing on the use of drone for disaster victim identification (DVI). This study employs thematic analysis of qualitative research method by engaging key informants who are Shariah expert, drone practitioner and accounting expert. In the context of emerging economies like Malaysia, the adoption of drone is sporadic when some industries such as military and agriculture are quite experienced with it; but for the takaful sector is almost none. This study provides preliminary findings that suggests there is potential of cost effectiveness for drone usage from the perspectives of SCBA in the maqāṣid Shariah framework. The main contributions from this paper are: (1) the new SCBA framework derived from the maqāṣid Shariah perspective and, (2) the application of this framework in examining the cost effectiveness on the use of drones by the takaful operators especially during disaster.

Joint DNA-based disaster victim identification

We address computational and statistical aspects of DNA-based identification of victims in the aftermath of disasters. Current methods and software for such identification typically consider each victim individually, leading to suboptimal power of identification and potential inconsistencies in the statistical summary of the evidence. We resolve these problems by performing joint identification of all victims, using the complete genetic data set. Individual identification probabilities, conditional on all available information, are derived from the joint solution in the form of posterior pairing probabilities. A closed formula is obtained for the a priori number of possible joint solutions to a given DVI problem. This number increases quickly with the number of victims and missing persons, posing computational challenges for brute force approaches. We address this complexity with a preparatory sequential step aiming to reduce the search space. The examples show that realistic cases are handled efficiently. User-friendly implementations of all methods are provided in the R package dvir, freely available on all platforms.

Management of The Dead and Missing People in the Easter Bombings in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Identification of the victims is considered as one of the most important initial steps in the management of a mass disaster. Comparison of ante-mortem and post-mortem fingerprints (ridgeology), dental data and DNA profiles have been recognized as primary identification methods for Disaster Victim Identification (DVI). However, facial recognition and personal belongings are the widely used tools of identification in large disasters. A series of bombings hit Sri Lanka on the morning of 21 st of April 2019. In the city of Colombo around 131 people died. Most of the identifications were achieved through visual recognition, with a minor percentage by odontology, genetics and fingerprints. The procedure adopted in the response to the disaster is described in this paper highlighting the importance of advanced preparedness, inter-institutional cooperation, the empathetic approach in caring for the grieving families and the procedure to adopt in visual recognition in DVI.