Smile photography as a forensic dental identifier: A systematic review

Objectives: This systematic review evaluated the utility of smile photographs as a tool for forensic dental identification in the absence of conventional antemortem dental records. Methods: A PRISMA-guided literature search identified 21 eligible studies, including case reports and experimental validation studies published between 2006 and 2025. Study quality was assessed using modified JBI and QUADAS-2 tools adapted for forensic research. Results: Case reports demonstrated successful identification in disaster victim scenarios using smile photograph comparison techniques. Experimental studies showed high accuracy with advanced methods including digital superimposition and deep learning-based models. Conclusions: Smile photography represents a cost-effective and accessible adjunct for forensic identification. Integration of automated digital analysis tools may further improve reliability and reproducibility.