"Digital Personal Identification: Tongue as a Forensic Gratuity"

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt.

2 Assistant Professor in Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University, Egypt

3 Lecturer in Prosthodontic Department, Faculty of Dentistry Menoufia University, Egypt.

4 Professor and former Head of Prosthodontic Department Faculty of Dentistry Mansoura University

Abstract

Background: The tongue is a unique body part which have various static and dynamic features that vary significantly among individuals. Few studies have been done on the use of the tongue prints for the purpose of personal identification.
Aim: This study aimed to examine the tongue prints in a number of Egyptians and determining how much it is unique for each individual.
Method: One hundred participants of normal living persons have participated in this prospective observational cross- sectional study. They were 68 Females, and 32 males, and their ages ranged from 15- 78 years. A visual inspection was done to see the tongue shape, color, coating, and surface features, then a digital imaging and casts were made. The tongue length and width were taken in the live photographs and the casts and compared for the same individual and among participants in the study.
Results: The tongue showed unique measures for every individual, that differ from other individuals. Casts’ measures were longer than live photographs. Males’ tongues lengths were longer than females’ tongues length. The shape and surface features were different among men and women.
Conclusion: The tongue proved to be a useful tool in Forensic practice. It can be used for personal identification, and sex differentiation, according to a database record. The method used in this study is easy and simple to be adapted by dentists on a daily basis. Further research is warranted on this point to provide more information about the tongue in Forensic Dentistry.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Egyptian Dental Journal
Volume 69, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
July (Oral Medicine, X-Ray, Oral Biology & Oral Pathology)
July 2023
Pages 1947-1955

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