title: Uniqueness of radiographic patterns of the frontal sinus for personal identification.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was performed to evaluate the uniqueness and reliability of the frontal sinuses by comparing various patterns of frontal sinus as observed on Waters' radiographs for individual identification.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three Waters' radiographs of 100 individuals, taken on day one, after 6-8 months, and one radiograph with a slight variation in angulation, to mimic conditions out in the field or during autopsy. Three observers were randomly given radiographs from all there packets for comparisons and identification, by the method of superimposition and individual uniqueness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The comparative identification by superimposition of the frontal sinus was 100% positive. The size, shape, unilateral or bilateral presence, absence, and septa were observed to be unique in each case; neither had the measurements changed over a period of time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The need to establish a reliable, low-cost, and easily reproducible method for human identification prompted the elaboration of technical, precise, and accessible parameters, such as the evaluation of the area, asymmetry, and shape of the frontal sinus. Comparison among each of the frontal sinuses of the 100 people in the sample revealed that no two sinuses are the same, that is, the sinus is unique to each individual.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, MGM, Dental College and Hospital, Navi Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Neha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.forename: Freny R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Karjodkar
authors.forename: Subodh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sontakke
authors.forename: Kaustubh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sansare
authors.forename: Rohini
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salvi
keywords: Forensic Dentistry; Frontal Sinus; Identification