Paranasal sinuses and human identification

• Autor(a) principal: Barros, Franciéllen de
• Data de Publicação: 2021
• Outros Autores: Fernandes, Clemente Maia da Silva, Kuhnen, Barbara, Scarso Filho, José, Gonçalves, Marcelo, Serra, Mônica da Costa
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Research, Society and Development
• Texto Completo: https://rsdjournal.org/index.php/rsd/article/view/18161
• topic: Forensic Sciences; Human Identification; Forensic Anthropology; Forensic Dentistry; Forensic Imaging and Radiology; Paranasal Sinuses; Frontal Sinus; Maxillary Sinus; Sphenoid Sinus; Ethmoid sinus.; Ciencias Forenses; Identificación Humana; Antropología Forense; Odontología Forense; Radiología e Imagenología Forense; Senos Paranasales; Seno Frontal; Seno Maxilar; Seno Esfenoidal; Senos etmoidales.; Ciências Forenses; Identificação Humana; Antropologia Forense; Odontologia Legal; Imaginologia e Radiologia Forense; Seios Paranasais; Seio Frontal; Seio Maxilar; Seio Esfenoidal; Seio etmoidal.

The characteristics of the paranasal sinuses (maxillary, frontal, sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses) are information of great relevance to Forensic Sciences, as their images can be used for human identification purposes. Due to their particularities, the paranasal sinuses provide valuable information for human identification, reducing the risk of errors during investigation by experts. Such structures are visualized from several imaging exams. This study evaluates the possibilities of human identification through the analysis of the paranasal sinuses, as well as the effectiveness of their analysis in estimating sex, age and ancestry. A comprehensive search was performed in the PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, and Web of Science databases. As inclusion criteria, texts that addressed the subject were selected. Imaging analysis of the frontal, maxillary and sphenoid sinuses is a useful tool for human identification, as well as for estimating sex, age and ancestry; usually provides a high level of accuracy. Regarding the ethmoid sinus, research is indicated to verify its use in human identification, as no publications on this specific subject were found. Additional research must be carried out (especially three-dimensional analysis of the paranasal sinuses), to develop standardized protocols, improving the work of experts, helping justice and society.