Assessment of knowledge among dental practitioners regarding digital dental record platform as a forensic aid for personal identification

Abstract

Background: Forensic dentistry deals with handling, examination, and evaluation of dental records, which are also required for medicolegal purpose. Digital forensic science has revolutionised the traditional forensic investigation by development of software and digital records. This results in quick identification and allows extraction of a large amount of data with less bias. As the conventional forensic procedures are tedious and time-consuming, there is a need for a digital platform that may help registration of dental records of all patients. Aim: The study aims to assess the knowledge regarding Digital Dental Record Platform as a forensic aid for personal identification among the dental practitioners. Methodology: After validation of the prepared questionnaire, it was circulated digitally as a google form and manually among dental practitioners in Belagavi city. The results obtained were tabulated and statistically analysed. Results: 94.4% respondents thought that there is a need for a centralised digital platform to maintain dental records in India and it will be useful if the Indian government links the centralised dental record database with Aadhaar (91.7%). 92.6% respondents were willing to be a part of program where dental records are updated to a centralised digital platform. Conclusion: India lacks a centralised digital platform as compared to western countries for forensic identification. Thus, there is a need for centralised digital dental record repository under Government of India which will be easily accessible for effective victim identification. A dentist plays a major role in this initiative as teeth and dental structures survive adverse conditions.

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