System for the non-destructive identification of species using human and non-human teeth

Abstract

A system (100) for non-destructive species identification, comprising: an elemental analysis equipment (102) capable of performing non-destructive elemental and radiographic analysis on tooth samples; a database (104) with element patterns of various types, including humans, dogs, cats, goats, sheep and buffalo; a comparison module (106) comprising a configured processor (108) to perform a comparison between element patterns obtained from tooth samples and the database (104) to identify the species; and an output module (110) with a graphical user interface (112) for displaying the entered tooth sample data and for displaying the results of species identification, wherein the graphical user interface (112) also facilitates the recording of inputs by the user.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system for non-destructive species identification based on human and non-human teeth, in particular a system that uses devices to perform elemental analysis and thus enables rapid and accurate species identification in both human and non-human teeth. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Disaster victim identification (DVI) is a crucial aspect of forensic science, particularly in mass casualty scenarios such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or accidents. Traditional identification methods, including visual assessment, dental records, and DNA analysis, often face challenges in these stressful and time-sensitive situations. The limitations of conventional odontological procedures become especially apparent when dealing with mass casualties, the mixing of remains, and decomposition processes that can obscure identifying features.

[0003] Under such complex and demanding circumstances, there is an urgent need for a rapid, accurate, and non-invasive method for species identification, particularly with a focus on human and non-human teeth. Forensic dentists play a crucial role in DVI, but the tools and techniques available to them need further development to meet the challenges posed by mass disasters.

[0004] The urgency of efficient species identification in disaster scenarios cannot be overstated. Time is often a critical factor, and conventional approaches may not be feasible or timely enough to meet the demands of DVI operations. The ability to rapidly process and analyze dental samples using elemental analysis, coupled with the potential to create a comprehensive database for comparison, represents a significant advancement in forensic dentistry.

[0005] To address the aforementioned challenges, an invention is needed that improves the forensic identification of human and non-human remains through the use of elemental analysis techniques. Elemental analysis offers a non-destructive way to examine the chemical composition and structure of teeth, providing valuable insights into dental characteristics that can aid in species identification. By examining elemental patterns in dental samples from various species, including humans, dogs, cats, goats, sheep, and buffalo, unique signatures are generated, enabling rapid and accurate identification in as little as two minutes.

[0006] In light of the foregoing discussion, the present invention aims to provide a system for non-destructive species identification based on human and non-human teeth. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] This disclosure relates to a system for non-destructive species identification using human and non-human teeth. The invention proposes a system that uses elemental analysis equipment for rapid and accurate species identification from human and non-human teeth, which is crucial in identifying disaster victims. Conventional techniques are often slow and inefficient in mass extinction scenarios where accurate identification is critical. The present invention overcomes these limitations by performing thorough elemental and radiographic analyses using advanced equipment. The speed and accuracy of the system, which delivers results in less than two minutes, make it particularly useful in time-critical mass disasters.By creating a comprehensive database and comparing fundamental patterns, species identification is accelerated. This innovative technology revolutionizes forensic dentistry, providing a valuable tool for rapid and accurate species identification in high-stakes situations and transforming the identification processes for disaster victims.

[0008] This disclosure is intended to provide a system for non-destructive species identification based on human and non-human teeth. The system comprises: elemental analysis equipment capable of performing non-destructive elemental and radiographic analyses on tooth samples; a database of elemental patterns from various species, including humans, dogs, cats, goats, sheep, and buffalo; a comparison module with a configured processor for performing a comparison between elemental patterns obtained from tooth samples and the database to identify species; and an output module with a graphical user interface for displaying the inputted tooth sample data and the species identification results, the graphical user interface also facilitating user input.

[0009] In one embodiment, the elemental analysis equipment (102) is configured to analyze elements including silicon (Si), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), strontium (Sr), titanium (Ti), manganese (Mn), barium (Ba), copper (Cu) and bromine (Br) in dental samples.

[0010] In one embodiment, the comparison module uses a comparison mechanism to perform a comparison between element patterns obtained from tooth samples and the database, whereby the configured processor is trained to improve the accuracy of species identification based on element patterns.

[0011] In one embodiment, the system also includes a data storage unit for storing analyzed element patterns and corresponding species identification results for future reference and analysis.

[0012] In one embodiment, the graphical user interface allows forensic dentists and investigators to manually enter tooth sample data or use automated scanning devices for quick and efficient species identification.

[0013] In one embodiment, species identification results are displayed to users via the graphical user interface, providing forensic dentists and investigators with quick and accessible information.

[0014] One goal of the disclosure is to provide a system for non-destructive species identification based on human and other teeth.

[0015] Another objective of this disclosure is to develop a system for rapid and accurate species identification in human and non-human remains using elemental analysis.

[0016] Another objective of this disclosure is to improve the efficiency and reliability of forensic odontology in the identification of disaster victims (DVI), particularly in cases of mass death and mixing of remains.

[0017] Another objective of this disclosure is to overcome the limitations of traditional odontological procedures by introducing a novel approach that utilizes elemental analysis to assess dental properties.

[0018] Another objective of this disclosure is to provide forensic investigators and dentists with a time-critical and precise species identification tool that can deliver results in less than two minutes.

[0019] Another objective of this disclosure is to enable the creation of a comprehensive database through elemental analysis, which will facilitate faster and more accurate species identification through comparative analysis of elemental patterns in tooth samples of different species.

[0020] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more detailed description of the invention will be given with reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that these drawings represent only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting its scope. The invention will be described and explained in additional detail and in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

[0021] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like characters represent like parts throughout. Where: Fig. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system for non-destructive species identification based on human and other teeth according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the drawings are shown for convenience and may not necessarily be drawn to scale. For example, the flowcharts illustrate the method by key steps to enhance understanding of aspects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, with respect to device construction, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawing may show only the specific details relevant to understanding embodiments of the present disclosure in order not to clutter the drawings with details that would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art who would benefit from the description herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

[0023] To facilitate an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and described in specific language. It is to be understood, however, that no limitation on the scope of the invention is intended thereby, since such changes and further modifications of the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein, are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

[0024] It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be limiting thereof.

[0025] References in this specification to "one aspect," "another aspect," or similar language mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, occurrences of the phrase "in one embodiment," "in another embodiment," and similar language throughout this specification may or may not all refer to the same embodiment.

[0026] The terms "comprises," "comprising," or other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method comprising a list of steps not only includes those steps, but may also include other steps not expressly listed or inherent in such process or method. Likewise, one or more devices or subsystems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises...a" does not preclude, without further limitation, the existence of other devices or other subsystems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional subsystems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

[0027] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered limiting.

[0028] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] The functional units described in this specification are referred to as devices. A device may be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as processors, digital signal processors, central processing units, field-programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, cloud processing systems, or the like. Devices may also be implemented in software for execution by various processor types. An identified device may contain executable code and may, for example, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions, which may be organized, for example, as an object, procedure, function, or other construct.However, the executable file of an identified device does not need to be physically arranged together, but may comprise different instructions stored in different locations which, when logically connected, constitute the device and fulfill the stated purpose of the device.

[0030] In fact, the executable code of a device or module can be a single instruction or multiple instructions, and can even be distributed across several different code segments, across different applications, and across multiple storage devices. Similarly, operational data can be identified and represented within the device, embodied in any suitable form, and organized in any suitable type of data structure. The operational data can be captured as a single data record or distributed across different locations, including different storage devices, and can exist, at least in part, as electronic signals within a system or network.

[0031] References in this specification to "a selected embodiment," "an embodiment," or "an embodiment" mean that a particular feature, structure, or property described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. Therefore, occurrences of the expressions "a selected embodiment," "in an embodiment," or "in an embodiment" at different locations in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0032] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or properties can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. Numerous specific details are provided in the following description to enable a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. However, a person skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosed subject matter can be implemented without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, known structures, materials, or processes are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

[0033] According to the exemplary embodiments, the disclosed computer programs or modules can be executed in many exemplary ways, for example, as an application stored in the memory of a device, or as a hosted application running on a server and communicating with the device application or browser via a number of standard protocols such as TCP / IP, HTTP, XML, SOAP, REST, JSON, and other suitable protocols. The disclosed computer programs can be written in exemplary programming languages ​​and executed from memory on the device or from a hosted server, for example, BASIC, COBOL, C, C++, Java, Pascal, or scripting languages ​​such as JavaScript, Python, Ruby, PHP, Perl, or other suitable programming languages.

[0034] Some of the disclosed embodiments comprise or otherwise involve data transmission over a network, such as communicating various inputs or files over the network. The network may comprise, for example, one or more of the following: the Internet, wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), analog or digital wired and wireless telephone networks (e.g., a PSTN, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), a cellular network, and Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL)), radio, television, cable, satellite, and / or any other delivery or tunneling mechanism for transmitting data. The network may comprise multiple networks or subnetworks, each of which may comprise, for example, a wired or wireless data path. The network may comprise a circuit-switched voice network, a packet-switched data network, or any other network capable of transmitting electronic communications.For example, the network can include networks based on the Internet Protocol (IP) or the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), and can support voice by using, for example, VoIP, Voice over ATM, or other comparable protocols used for voice data communication. In one implementation, the network includes a mobile phone network configured for exchanging text or SMS messages.

[0035] Examples of the network include, but are not limited to, a Personal Area Network (PAN), a Storage Area Network (SAN), a Home Area Network (HAN), a Campus Area Network (CAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a Virtual Private Network (VPN), an Enterprise Private Network (EPN), the Internet, a Global Area Network (GAN), and so on.

[0036] Fig. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system (100) for non-destructive species identification based on human and non-human teeth according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] According to Fig. 1 The system (100) includes an elemental analysis equipment (102) with which non-destructive elemental and radiographic analysis can be performed on tooth samples.

[0038] In one embodiment, a database (104) contains element patterns of various types, including humans, dogs, cats, goats, sheep and buffalo.

[0039] In one embodiment, a comparison module (106) comprising a configured processor (108) is configured to perform a comparison between element patterns obtained from tooth samples and the database (104) to identify the species.

[0040] In one embodiment, an output module (110) with a graphical user interface (112) is configured to display the entered tooth sample data and the results of the species identification, the graphical user interface (112) also facilitating user input.

[0041] In one embodiment, the elemental analysis equipment (102) is configured to analyze elements including silicon (Si), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), strontium (Sr), titanium (Ti), manganese (Mn), barium (Ba), copper (Cu) and bromine (Br) in dental samples.

[0042] In one embodiment, the system (100) also includes a power supply (116) configured to provide power to the elemental analysis equipment and other modules of the system (100).

[0043] In one embodiment, the comparison module (106) performs a comparison between element patterns obtained from tooth samples and the database via a comparison mechanism (106a), wherein the configured processor (108) is trained in a way to improve the accuracy in species identification based on element patterns.

[0044] In one embodiment, the system (100) also includes a data storage unit (114) for storing analyzed element patterns and corresponding species identification results for future reference and analysis.

[0045] In one embodiment, the graphical user interface (112) enables forensic dentists and investigators to manually or via automated scanning devices input dental sample data for fast and efficient species identification.

[0046] In one embodiment, the results of species identification are displayed to users via the graphical user interface (112), thereby providing forensic dentists and investigators with quick and accessible information.

[0047] Forensic dentistry plays a crucial role in identifying victims of disasters, particularly mass deaths, where traditional methods are slow and ineffective. The present invention provides a non-invasive system that, using elemental analysis devices, can quickly and accurately identify species in human and non-human remains. This system significantly improves the speed and precision of forensic dental identification and meets critical requirements in time-sensitive situations.

[0048] This proposed system addresses the limitations of traditional odontological procedures, particularly in cases of mass death involving mixed remains and decomposition. The present invention includes a comprehensive comparative analysis of the chemical composition and structure of human and non-human dentition. Elemental analysis is a productive and non-destructive method that provides valuable insights into dental characteristics and improves identification processes in terms of both speed and accuracy.

[0049] The proposed system uses the Shimadzu EDX 700 EDXRF instrument to perform non-destructive elemental and radiographic analyses of dental samples from various animal species, including humans, dogs, cats, goats, sheep, and buffalo. Elements analyzed include silicon (Si), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), strontium (Sr), titanium (Ti), manganese (Mn), barium (Ba), copper (Cu), and bromine (Br).

[0050] The results of the present invention have revealed the existence of unique elemental patterns in various species, enabling rapid and accurate identification within two minutes. This non-destructive approach is particularly beneficial in time-critical disaster scenarios where conventional methods are insufficient. The method's efficiency is evident in situations where rapid results are crucial, as it delivers results within two minutes. Furthermore, the use of a comprehensive database through elemental analysis accelerates species identification. Essentially, this invention revolutionizes forensic dentistry by providing a fast, non-destructive, and effective technology tailored for disaster situations, offering precision and speed when time is of the essence.

[0051] The drawings and the foregoing description provide examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be separated into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of the processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Furthermore, the actions of any flowchart need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all actions necessarily need to be performed. Also, those actions that are not dependent on other actions may be performed in parallel with the other actions. The scope of the embodiments is in no way limited by these specific examples.Numerous variations, whether explicitly stated in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimensions, and material use, are possible. The scope of the embodiments is at least as broad as indicated in the following claims.

[0052] Advantages, other benefits, and solutions to problems have been described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, the advantages, benefits, solutions to problems, and any components that may cause an advantage or solution to occur or become more apparent are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component of any or all of the claims. REFERENCE 100 A system for the non-destructive identification of species using human and non-human teeth. 102 Devices for Elemental Analysis 104 Database 106 Comparison module 108 Configured Processor 110 Output module 112 Graphical User Interface 114 Data storage unit 116 Power supply

Claims

[1] A system (100) for non-destructive species identification, comprising: an elemental analysis equipment (102) capable of performing non-destructive elemental and X-ray analysis on tooth samples; a database (104) with element patterns of various species, including humans, dogs, cats, goats, sheep and buffalo; a comparison module (106) comprising a processor (108) configured to perform a comparison between element patterns obtained from tooth samples and the database (104) to identify the species; and an output module (110) having a graphical user interface (112) for displaying the input tooth sample data and for displaying the species identification results, wherein the graphical user interface (112) also facilitates the recording of user inputs. [2] The system of claim 1, wherein the elemental analysis equipment (102) is configured to analyze elements including silicon (Si), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), strontium (Sr), titanium (Ti), manganese (Mn), barium (Ba), copper (Cu), and bromine (Br) in tooth samples. [3] The system of claim 1, further comprising a power supply configured to power the elemental analysis equipment and other modules of the system. [4] The system of claim 1, wherein the comparison module (106) performs the comparison between element patterns obtained from tooth samples and the database through a comparison mechanism (106a), wherein the configured processor (108) is trained in a manner to improve accuracy in species identification based on element patterns. [5] The system of claim 1, further comprising a data storage unit (114) for storing analyzed element patterns and corresponding species identification results for later reference and analysis. [6] The system of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface (112) enables forensic dentists and investigators to enter tooth sample data manually or via automatic scanning devices to enable quick and efficient species identification. [7] The system of claim 1, wherein the results of species identification are displayed to users via the graphical user interface (112), thereby providing quick and accessible information to forensic dentists and investigators.

Images