Original Article

Year : 2018 | Volume : 3 | Issue : 1 | Page : 26 - 29

Dental Tissue as an Imperative Marker for Human Identification in Mass Disaster

Anshika Khare, Vrinda Saxena, Manish Jain, Vidhatri Tiwari, Binu Santha, Vijayta Sharva

Department of Public Health Dentistry, People’s Dental Academy, Affiliated by People’s University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

Address for correspondence:

Dr. Anshika Khare, E‐mail: khare.anshika58@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:

Mass disaster events allied with astounding damage of humanity, consequently leading with complexity to recognize human eccentricity. Forensic science has an enormous role in human identification after disaster. As human teeth are admirable source of DNA due to their relatively higher degree of physical and chemical resistance; thus, revival of genetic material is promising with teeth; in case of disasters. Therefore, human teeth can be used as an imperative resource for human identification in mass disasters.

Aim and Objectives:

This study aims to compare DNA quantity and purity, of extracted human teeth buried in soil and establishes the result that dental tissue can be used as an imperative marker in human identification.

Material and Methods:

An in vitro experimental study conducted with 30 extracted human teeth. All teeth divided into two groups depending on the time of buried in soil – (i) Group 1 (old group): It was comprised of 14 teeth, buried for 12 months and (ii) Group 2 (new group): It was comprised of 16 teeth, buried for 6 months. Then, DNA isolation, quantification, and purity assessment was and results analyzed by SPSS version 20 using paired and unpaired Student’s t‐test.

Results:

This study illustrates that the entire samples were amplifiable in polymerase chain reaction and showing reverently high‐quality results. DNA purity was not significantly affected by the storage period of teeth in soil.

Conclusion:

The study concluded that DNA isolation and assessment of quantity and purity can be successfully done from extracted teeth buried in soil. The quantity and purity of DNA retrieved from those teeth who buried for 6 months was high. The quantity of DNA was significantly affected by the storage period of teeth but the purity or quality of DNA was not. Thus, it established the fact the dental tissue can be used as an imperative marker for human identification.

Key Words: Dental pulp, DNA, polymerase chain reaction technique

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

How to cite this article:

Khare A, Saxena V, Jain M, Tiwari V, Santha B, Sharva V. Dental tissue as an imperative marker for human identification in mass disaster. Int J Forensic Odontol 2018;3:26-9.