Analysis of tooth measurement method accuracy in digital periapical radiograph for personal identification

In the field of forensic dentistry,methods for personal identification through tooth measurement have been developed. this study aimed at proposing a new method for personal identification using digital periapical radiograph. seven measurements were performed in 206 digital periapical radiographs (103 patients with age more than 14 years old have double radiographs in the same region of interest) from seven reference distanceswhich were appointed before the measurement in permanent mandibular second premolar and first molar. the measurement process was done in two ways,digital radiography software andmanual measurement. the reliability of seven reference points was assessed with intra-observer and inter-observer values (tem < 1 mm). the accuracy of tooth measurement method was assessed withbland-altman test that demonstrated no statistical difference(p > 0.050) regarding paired radiograph comparison. limits of agreement (loa) values from bland-altman test showed range of difference (mm) from paired radiograph whichwas still acceptable as same person. the method been examined further through blind test for similarview radiographs resulted 100% match between one pair radiograph with true identity came from thesame person. the method proposed in this study is able to identify person accurately.