Estudo comparativo da Rugoscopia palatina como método auxiliar de identificação humana dentro da odontologia legal: revisão de literatura

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Human identification is a crucial area in Forensic Dentistry, particularly in mass disasters or when primary methods such as DNA and fingerprints are not viable. Palatal rugoscopy, the study of palatal rugae, has emerged as a complementary method due to its uniqueness, stability, and resistance. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the applicability of palatal rugoscopy as an auxiliary method for human identification by comparing its effectiveness with other forensic techniques such as DNA analysis, fingerprinting, cheiloscopy, dental arch analysis, maxillary sinus evaluation, and facial recognition. METHODOLOGY: This is a qualitative and descriptive literature review based on scientific articles retrieved from PubMed, SciELO, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, published between 1994 and 2024, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. RESULTS: Palatal rugoscopy proved to be a viable method, with low cost, applicability in edentulous corpses, and resistance to high temperatures. However, it relies on ante-mortem records and lacks standardization. Compared to other methods, it is complementary and especially useful in difficult identification contexts. CONCLUSION: Palatal rugoscopy is a promising technique for human identification, particularly in extreme situations. Although it does not replace primary methods, it serves as a valuable resource when used in conjunction with other forensic approaches.