Smile photographs as a method for human identification: case report series

• Autor(a) principal: Kitagawa, Priscila Letícia Vieira
• Data de Publicação: 2020
• Outros Autores: Furtado, Frederico Mamede Santos, Jacometti, Victor, Silva, Ricardo Henrique Alves da
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Saúde, Ética & Justiça (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://www.revistas.usp.br/sej/article/view/179787
• topic: Photography, Dental; Forensic Dentistry; Forensic Anthropology; Smiling; Antropologia Forense; Fotografia Dentária; Odontologia Legal; Sorriso

In situations where bodies are in an advanced state of putrefaction, the analysis of the dental arches is an important method for human identification, since teeth have unique characteristics for each individual. As smartphones with cameras become more popular, new parameters in the routine of criminal investigations arise, given the frequent use of self-portraits (selfies) on social networks. The present study aims to report three cases of human identification performed at the Medico-Legal Institute of São Luís (State of Maranhão, Brazil), in which the method of comparison between photographs of the person smiling while still alive and post-mortem (PM) records was used for the identification process. Anthropological studies were carried out to trace the biological profile by estimating sex, age, ancestry and stature. Then, a visual morphological analysis and computerized outline of the smile line in AM and PM photographs were done through digital image manipulation. In all cases, the comparison between AM and PM records showed numerous coincidences and no divergences, leading to positive identification. Hence, we conclude that smile photographs can be great allies in human identification. The reports showed a promising result from the use of smiles photographs; however, as it is a recent technique and due to the lack of research in the literature, it is essential to produce more scientific studies to accurately determine its applicability.