Browsing by Author "Phillips, V.M."

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Accuracy of acetate overlays in bite mark comparison: How accurate is an ideal bite pattern?
    (South African Dental Association, 2017) Mohamed, Nadia; Phillips, V.M.
    Forensically, a bite mark on human skin is reliant on the matching of the alignment and position of the dentition of the perpetrator with the bruise pattern inflicted by the bite. If there is more than one suspect, the bite pattern of each suspect needs to be analysed. At least hypothetically, a bite delivered by a person who has had orthodontic treatment will result in a bruise pattern of an ideal arrangement of the teeth. If there are two suspects, both of whom have had orthodontic treatment, could that “ideal” alignment compromise identification of the perpetrator of the bite mark?
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    Forensic dentistry case book 3: Supplemental chrome cobalt partial denture used in identification of burned remains
    (South African Dental Association, 2015) Phillips, V.M.; Chandler, S.
    An adult female was involved in a motor vehicle accident on one of the major highways of Cape Town in the early hours of the morning. The car caught fire and the body was burned beyond recognition. The charred remains were taken to the Salt River Medico-legal Laboratory, where an autopsy was undertaken to establish the cause of death. The hands were severely burned so that finger prints were impossible to use for identification. An oral autopsy had to be performed in order to gain access to the teeth. The maxilla was found to be fractured from the skull base and the mandible had a fracture in the midline between the lower left and right central incisor teeth (31 and 41). Upper and lower chrome cobalt partial dentures were found in situ.
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    The incidence of dental anomalies in a Qatari population sample
    (University of Western Cape, 2021) Elsayed, Sabiana; Phillips, V.M.
    There is no data specific to the Qatari population on the incidence of dental anomalies. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of dental anomalies in a Qatari population sample of patients between 6 and 65 years of age and to use the record as a key for human identification in forensic odontology.Records of panoramic radiographs of a Qatari population sample of 457 patients, comprised of (227 females; mean age 16.84 and 230 males; mean age 18.55) were examined to identify all dental anomalies. Dental anomalies were investigated in 4 groups, each group including subdivisions with a total of 15 subdivisions.
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    Palatal rugae patterns in a sudanese population sample
    (2013) Khalid, Khalid Mohamed; Phillips, V.M.
    Palatal Rugae Patterns in a Sudanese Population Sample Palatal rugae are ridges resulted from symmetrical and irregular mucosal folds of tissue and located in the alveolar third of the palate. Palatal rugae identification can have a significant role in forensic identification where it is difficult to use the normal identification methods. The aim of this study is to identify and compare the palatal rugal morphological patterns in a sample of adult males and females of Sudanese population. Maxillary impression models obtained from 100 subjects (50 males and 50 females) of age group 21 – 23 years, of the dental students of University of Science and Technology, Sudan. The data were assessed based on the Thomas and Kotze classification (1983) for the length, shape and prevalence. The Independent - t - Test was used for the statistical analysis. Ethical approvals declared from the University of Science and Technology, Sudan and University of the Western Cape South, South Africa to conduct the study. Statistical analysis showed that females had significantly more number of total rugae on the right side of the palate than in males. The prevalence of the palatine rugae numbers was significantly more in females than in males. Primary rugae were distributed more significantly in females more than males. On the right side of the palate, the straight type of rugae was significantly predominant in females than in males whilst the wavy shape was more in males than in females. On the left side of the palate, the curved type of rugae was significantly more presented in males than in females whilst the diverging unification type was more in females than in males. The distribution of number of rugae shapes in both males and females were seen as straight followed by wavy and least was the circular. The total number of straight rugae was significantly more in females than in males, as well as circular rugae and diverging rugae. In contrast, curved rugae were significantly more in males than in females. There were 11 individuals who did not comply with the Thomas and Kotze classification thus was recorded as unspecified. Page iv This Sudanese study showed significant differences between males and females in the number, length and shapes of rugae. Hence, the individuality and uniqueness of palatine rugae can be used as a tool for forensic dental identification, and possibly distinction between males and females. There is also a possibility that there are ethnic differences in rugal patterns.
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    Sex determination by measuring the maximum width of maxillary incisors, canines and mandibular canines in a sample of young South African adults
    (University of the Western Cape, 2016) Claassens, L.; Phillips, V.M.
    Sex determination of human remains is often a dilemma for forensic experts due to the decomposing factor, or, if only part of a body is found. The analysis of DNA is thought to be the most accurate method for sex determination, but the cost and time involvement usually causes a delay in the identification process and in some cases, DNA is not obtainable due to the state of decomposition or contamination. Sexual dimorphism refers to the difference in shape, form or appearance between male and females in the same species. It can also be described as the systematic difference between individuals of different sex in the same species. Dimorphism in the human skeletal system and dentition is well establish. It is generally assumed that the male dentition is larger than the female dentition. In this study, the mesio-distal width of the maxillary incisors and canines, as well as the mandibular canines were measured. Orthodontic study models were used in this study, 50 males and 50 females, in which the sizes of the maxillary central incisors, maxillary lateral incisors, and maxillary and mandibular canines were measured. The results showed that the sizes of the maxillary and the mandibular canines were significantly more accurate in determining sexual dimorphism than the incisors. The logistic regression model, using tooth 13 and 33, provides prediction accuracy of 52% for males and 74% for females.