identification based on dental information is a highly efficient , reliable , and rapid procedure . knowledge in rugoscopy , chelioscopy , bite marks , radiographs , tooth dna analysis and so on , plays an important role in medico legal investigation . however , still many questions in the field of forensic odontology remain unanswered . further studies are required to conclude the manner of death by looking into postmortem pink tooth . the appearance of postmortem pink teeth is a common phenomenon that can be noted by the forensic personnel during exhumation . usually the pink appearance is more pronounced at the region of the cementoenamel junction and more intense among the anterior teeth than the posterior teeth . bell , in 1829 , was the first person to describe pink teeth in a postmortem victim . he noted the appearance of pink teeth in the individuals where the cause of death was drowning . since then , there have not been many reports published in the literature regarding postmortem pink teeth in 1953 , miles et al . , described the appearance of postmortem pink teeth in two individuals where the cause of death was drowning and burns . van wyk , in 1989 , also observed pink teeth where the cause of death was drowning , fire , and stabbing . kirkham et al . , observed pink teeth during postmortem and mentioned that many cases were associated with decomposition in a moist environment . reviewing the literature reveals that the exact cause for the appearance of forensic pink teeth as well as the phenomenon behind its occurrence is still clearly not understood . however the main aim of our study was to note the changes to pink teeth , histologically . a male individual aged 28 years was found dead . the medical investigator reported that death had occurred 12 days earlier . one maxillary central incisor [ figure 1 ] was obtained from the deceased individual 's body . pink appearance along the cervical region of the tooth a male individual aged 45 years was found dead . a maxillary central incisor tooth [ figure 2 ] was obtained from the deceased individual 's body . pink appearance along the cervical region of the tooth both samples were obtained following oral consent from the medical officer and police investigator . the ground section revealed red - brown discoloration of the dentin [ figures 3 and 4 ] , whereas , the hematoxylin and eosin ( h and e)-stained section does not show any notable changes [ figure 5 ] . ground section of teeth showing dentin ground section of teeth showing pulp h and e - stained section of decalcified tooth a male individual aged 28 years was found dead . the medical investigator reported that death had occurred 12 days earlier . one maxillary central incisor [ figure 1 ] was obtained from the deceased individual 's body . a male individual aged 45 years was found dead . the medical investigator reported that death had occurred eight days earlier . a maxillary central incisor tooth [ figure 2 ] was obtained from the deceased individual 's body . pink appearance along the cervical region of the tooth both samples were obtained following oral consent from the medical officer and police investigator . the ground section revealed red - brown discoloration of the dentin [ figures 3 and 4 ] , whereas , the hematoxylin and eosin ( h and e)-stained section does not show any notable changes [ figure 5 ] . ground section of teeth showing dentin ground section of teeth showing pulp h and e - stained section of decalcified tooth postmortem pink teeth phenomenon is a condition that may be noted among deceased individuals due to the development of intrapulpal pressure . various factors including physical trauma and a moist environment play a major role in the development of the pink appearance . in forensic literature , authors who reported cases of pink teeth , note the time delay between death and development of pink appearance . they attribute the cause of discoloration to red blood cells entering the dentin . however , as red blood cells are 7.5 microns in diameter and dentinal tubules are only 3 micrometers in diameter , it is the lysis of erythrocytes and the products of erythrocytes like hemoglobin , porphyrins , and hemosiderins , together with bile and related pigments that are responsible for the pink appearance . the literature mentions the variation in the intensity among different teeth and also the regions of the teeth . the appearance of pink teeth can be noted among incisors , canines , and premolars . within the tooth , van wyk , in 1989 , studied the ground sections of postmortem pink teeth and noted the red - brown discoloration of dentin . similar to the study by van wyk , the ground section of pink teeth in our case showed red -brown discoloration in the dentin but not in enamel and cementum . we conclude that the pink appearance is due to the derivative products of hemoglobin entering the dentinal tubules . pink teeth phenomenon may be noted in dead individuals , where great physical trauma is noted . large scale studies are needed to ascertain the exact cause for the appearance of the pink color and the variation in the intensity of the hue .
this article presents images and histological changes in the dentin of two cases involving posmortem pink teeth . 
 postmortem pink teeth were noted among two deceased male individuals . 
 pink teeth were noted during autopsy examination after twelve days in one corpse , and eight days following death in the second case . during the examination decomposition and putrefaction of the body was noted . 
 cause of death was drowning in one case and haemorrhages and shock in another . 
 a central incisor tooth was obtained from each body . 
 both teeth exhibited a pink appearance and the intensity was more pronounced in the cervical region . although pink teeth can be noted in death due to asphyxia , carbon monoxide poisoning and so on , it is necessary to study the exact role behind the appearance of pink teeth and try to incorporate the finding medico legally .