Forensic Odontology

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Forensic Odontology
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Definition

• Forensic Odontology is the application of dental
  science to the administration of the law and the
  furtherance of justice. It provides an important
  community service in both the civil and criminal
  jurisdictions. 

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History

• The earliest known identification from teeth is
  in 1775 by Paul Revere.
• Paul Revere made a silver bridge for one man.
  The man was killed in the Revolutionary War.
• Body was in mass grave and identified by his
  silver dental work.

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Dental Apparatus

1. Teeth
2. Prosthetic appliance bridges, partials, crown,
   false teeth
3. Shape, form (morphological) peculiarities

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Forensic Dentistry/Odontology

• This field is very important in identifying human
  remains that are decomposed, mutilated, or
  visually unrecognizable.

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Dental X-rays
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Uses of Forensic Odontology

• The scope of forensic odontology is wide and
  includes the identification of victims of
  transport accidents, gunshot, and incineration in
  vehicles and house fires.

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• Identifying
• factors such
• as cavities,
• tooth pattern,
• and general
• dental health
• neglect

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Bite marks

• It also includes the examination of bite marks
  inflicted by humans and animals in a variety of
  circumstances.

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Bite marks

• Example of bruising left from bite mark.
• Bites are common in violent crime and child abuse

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Specific uses of odontology

• Particularly significant are the bite marks
  frequently produced upon victims of child abuse.
• Particularly significant are the bite marks
  frequently produced upon victims of child abuse.

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High profile crimes

• Ted Bundy was identified from a bite mark.
• John Wilkes Booth was identified by a gold
  plug on the right side of his jaw.

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Dental comparison

• Dental records are useful in helping to identify
  unknown persons who have been the victim of fowl
  play or who have been simply reported missing.

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DENTAL COMPARISON
(Courtesy Dr. Richard R. Souviron, D.D.S., ABFO,
Chief Forensic Odontologist, Dade County Medical
Examiner Department, Miami, Florida)
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FORENSIC DENTISTRY

• Forensic dentistry is a specialty that relates
  dental evidence to investigation
• Analyses of bit marks had played a major role in
  many cases
• Teeth marks may be left in food, pencils or other
  items left at crime scenes
• Bite marks can help eliminate or identify suspects

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Dental identification

• The forensic dentist compares antemortem
  (before death) records with postmortem (after
  death) findings to determine if there is a
  positive match.

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Legal responsibilities

• In order to obtain a dental impression the
  criminal/victim must provide consent.
• Most will give the impression on just a verbal
  request.
• Some require search warrants to be obtained.
• Once request is granted then impressions are made
  and then cast in dental stone.

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Bibliography

• Criminal Investigation 9th ed. Swanson,
  Charmelin, Territo, and Taylor.
• McGraw Hill power point presentations chapter 3.