Reliability of ameloglyphics in forensic identification: a systematic review

Background: Teeth are considered as hard tissue analogue to fingerprints, being unique to an individual. The enamel which forms the outer layer of the tooth is formed through a highly dynamic process in which ameloblasts lay down enamel rods in an undulating and intertwining path, which is reflected as a series of enamel rod pattern. The study of these patterns is termed as "Ameloglyphics". These patterns formed on the surface of enamel are called tooth prints each of which comprises the combination of different sub patterns, and are unique for every single tooth of an individual. This characteristic of uniqueness of the tooth print can serve as a significant biometric tool in forensic identification.

Objectives: To assess if ameloglyphics is an accurate and reliable method for forensic identification of individuals.

Methodology: Registration number- CRD42022338138. Data sources- Google Scholar, PubMed, Proquest, Europe PMC, Scopus. Study appraisal and synthesis methods- Studies were assessed for quality with the help of predetermined criteria which categorized the studies into high, medium and low quality with the help of JBI critical appraisal checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies using the key words such as Ameloglyphics, tooth prints and enamel rod end patterns.

Results: A total of 475 articles were obtained in the primary search from PubMed, Scopus, Europe PMC, ProQuest, and Google Scholar including gray literature for thorough search of related publications on Ameloglyphics. Following initial search of titles, 433 articles were excluded because they were not related to the objectives of the systematic review and 42 articles were further excluded after abstract reading and removal of duplicates. Finally,18 out of 22 articles which were fulfilling the inclusion criteria of the study were selected for qualitative synthesis after full-text screening and exclusion of review articles. The data obtained from the eighteen included studies were systematically reviewed but a meta-analysis could not be performed due to heterogeneity of the data.

Conclusion: Ameloglyphics is a relatively newer technique and a fair number of research are done on its application in identification of individuals. The results of the eighteen studies included in this review suggest that Ameloglyphicsis an useful adjunct for forensic identification.

Protocol registration: The study protocol can be accessed through the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, the PROSPERO database with the following register number: CRD42022338138.