In the aftermath of the tragic Air India AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad, forensic teams have been working tirelessly to identify victims and bring some closure to grieving families. While DNA profiling has proven invaluable in matching most of the 242 passengers, it has also highlighted a scientific challenge that few outside forensic circles know: identifying young children using dental evidence is far more complex than it is for adults.
Why are teeth so important in mass disaster identification?
Teeth are among the hardest substances in the human body, resistant to decomposition, high temperatures, and trauma. This makes them a reliable source for both comparative dental records and DNA extraction, especially when the rest of the body is severely damaged. In large-scale disasters involving fire or explosions, teeth often survive when soft tissues and even bones do not.
DNA and age: The challenge with young children
For adults and older children, forensic odontologists usually extract DNA from the pulp cavity inside permanent molars , these larger back teeth are deeply rooted and well-protected by thick enamel, helping preserve DNA even in adverse conditions.
However, very young children, typically under six , do not yet have fully erupted permanent molars. Instead, they have milk teeth (deciduous teeth), which are smaller, have thinner enamel, and are more vulnerable to heat damage. This means two things:
- Milk teeth may be destroyed or severely degraded in high-heat crashes.
- If milk teeth remain, the amount of pulp (and thus DNA) inside them is often limited compared to permanent teeth.
Why dental DNA helps speed up identification
While DNA can also be extracted from bones, this process is more time-consuming and technically demanding, especially when bones are fragmented or exposed to high heat. Teeth offer a faster, more contained source of genetic material, expediting the matching process with relatives’ DNA profiles.
In this crash, Dr. Pillai and his colleagues have been working around the clock to carefully extract teeth, isolate DNA, and match samples to the families’ reference DNA — an emotionally and technically demanding task, but one that brings crucial closure.
Current status
As of Thursday, 211 victims have been successfully identified using DNA profiling, and 189 have been released to families. The process continues for the remaining victims, with special focus on the youngest passengers whose identification demands exceptional forensic care and precision.
This heartbreaking incident highlights not only the vital role of forensic science in disaster response but also the need for more awareness, training, and infrastructure in specialised fields like forensic odontology and DNA profiling. In crises where time and dignity matter most, science truly becomes a bridge between tragedy and healing for affected families.
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