ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of forensic identification through digital imaging of the palatal rugae.MethodsDigital images of the palatal rugae under a particular environment were collected. Rugae Image Identification System was used for collection, noise reduction, augmentation, segmentation, feature extraction, edge detection, and information matching, with each procedure having a corresponding algorithm. After Matlab processing, the matching achievement ratio and matching time of palatal rugae images were recorded.ResultsThree dentists obtained 100% accurateResults, one case and two cases were not matched respectively by the other two evaluators. Dentists completed computer processing of the images in the shortest time.ConclusionA more rapid and accurate method for forensic identification was successfully achieved through digital imaging of the palatal rugae. The study proposes a new method for forensic identification.
