Detection of tooth-colored restorative materials for forensic purposes based on their optical properties: an in vitro comparative study

Victim identification using dental records involves antemortem and postmortem comparison of dental charts. Since dental restorations may be part of such records, identifying them accurately is critical. The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic reliability and validity of two optical methods for identifying tooth-colored restorations (digital imaging fiber optic transillumination (DiFOTI) using near infrared light, and fluorescence-aided identification of restorations (FAIR)) with conventional diagnostic methods. Four examiners identified and charted tooth-colored restorations in three sets of typodonts on the bench using conventional visual and tactile examination, DiFOTI (DIAGNOcam™) and FAIR. All examinations were repeated after 4 weeks. Both the sensitivity (95%) and specificity (97%) of the FAIR method were significantly higher than those for DiFOTI (82% and 82%) and for conventional inspection (71% and 82%). In conclusion, FAIR method performed better than conventional examination and DiFOTI, and was more reliable for identifying tooth-colored restorations