In vitro evaluation of the XR-15 portable x-ray unit for forensic odontology.

The purpose of this research was to investigate if a portable, light-weight radiographic generator, Golden Engineering's XR-150, can be used in forensic odontology to aid identification. Dental periapical radiographs produced by the XR-150 were evaluated for diagnostic quality based on sharpness, detail, and whether the lamina dura, periodontal membrane space and bone trabeculae could be observed. Logistic regression was used to calibrate the evaluators for reliability and for comparison of impulse values within the different sites at p<0.01. Spearman's Correlation was used to test for significance between the four quadrants at p<0.01. The XR-150 produced statistically significant (p<0.01) diagnostic images between five and ten impulses in all locations tested: anterior maxilla, anterior mandible, posterior maxilla, and posterior mandible.