Revisiting autopsies of death by mechanical asphyxia in the search for post-mortem pink teeth

Abstract

Background: In contemporary forensic practice, Medicine and Dentistry combine forces to improve the search for the cause of death and human identification. The pink tooth phenomenon (PTP) is a cadaveric sign that allegedly manifests more often in victims of asphyxia. However, the scientific literature is scarce and controversial on this aspect. Objective: This study aimed at screening victims of mechanical asphyxia in order to search for post-mortem pink teeth. Material and methods: Retrospectively, autopsy reports from a local medico-legal institute in South Brazil were revisited in the search for victims of death by asphyxia. Autopsy reports of twenty one victims aged between 6 and 67 years (mean age: 40.6 years ±19.20; median: 37 years) were found and analyzed. Results: The different modalities of asphyxia included drowning (n=7; 33.33%), strangulation (n=1; 4.76%) and hanging (n=13; 61.91%). A single case of PTP was detected (4.76%) – a 26-year-old male victim of hanging. Conclusion: This study illustrates and highlights the unspecific aspect of the PTP. In practice, forensic experts must avoid interpretations of this phenomenon as conclusive evidence of the cause of death, such as asphyxia by drowning, strangulation or hanging.