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WHAT IS FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY?

• Forensic odontology is a branch of dentistry which in the interest of

justice deals with the proper handling and examination of dental
evidence, With proper evaluation and presentation of dental findings.
AREAS OF USE

■ Identification of unknown human remains through dental records

■ Providing assistance to forensic experts and police personals in cases of mass disasters

■ Age estimations of both living and deceased persons (including neonatal remains)

■ Analysis of bite marks found on victims or accused in case of physical or sexual assault
OTHER AREAS OF SPECIAL USE

*Forensic odontologist can also act as expert witness in cases involving

bite or weapon marks

*Identification of the weapon of offence using the same principle of bite

mark analysis

*They can even provide assistance to archeologists in building up a dietary

history of tribe or a race
 TEETH AS A SOURCE OF FORENSIC
SCENES

DENTAL IDENTIFICATION IS THE SINGLE MOST ACCURATE

MEANS WHEN BOTH VISUAL AND FINGERPRINT BECOME
INEFFECTIVE
 WHY TEETH?
. Most durable of human tissue , They are extremely resistant to extreme temperature
and force
. Materials used are extremely resistant to destruction by biological physical and
chemical factors
.32 teeth-5 surfaces infinite combinations of ,fillings,carries,lesions and prosthesis in
these 160 surfaces forms enormous base of identification
 WHY TEETH?
• Characterization further enhanced by specific morphological patterns of individual
restoration,prosthesis,crown,removable denture,the additional features incorporated
in root canal,periapical and surrounding of tissues
• NO TWO DENTITIONS ARE SAME
• Mosby’s medical dictionary 8th edition 2009 states that unique characteristic of teeth
and dental work often are often individual which,thereby,permits the identification
of individuals
 WHY TEETH?
• PRINCIPAL ADVANTAGE :like other hard tissues it can be preserved after death
*Status of a person’s teeth changes throughout life and combination of decayed,missing
and filled teeth is measurable at any fixed point in his lifetime
• For all provided reasons and cases the most important requirement for forensic
purpose may be the ante mortem and post mortem records of the teeth as they reveal
various details of restorations,prosthesis,anamolies and various essential details of
the subject
IDENTIFICATION OF UNKNOWN HUMAN
REMAINS THROUGH DENTAL RECORDS
•RAJA JAI CHAND OF KANNAUJ

•ADOLF HITLER
IN CASES OF MASS DISASTERS

•OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING

•THE 9/11 BOMBING
•ZIA UL HAQ
AGE ESTIMATIONS

• GUSTAFSON’S METHOD IS USED

• JUDICIALLY FAKING OF JUVENILE CAN BE PREVENTED
• FINDING THE AGE IS ESSENTIAL IN MANY SITUATIONS
BITE MARKS

• THE NIRBHAYA CASE

• TED BUNDY CASE
• SEVERAL CASES OF CHILD AND ELDERLY ABUSE
 Severe generalized tooth attritions is common among the people working in
environment filled with abrasive dusts

 Notching of upper incisor is common among the hair dressers due to biting of
hairpin

 Long term back pipe players get unilateral bimaxillary patterns

 The sex of the person could be identified on base with the anatomy of teeth
VARIOUS OTHER TECHNIQUES INVOLVED
 Forensic odontology that is the branch forensic medicine has established itself as
an important and indispensable service in medico legal matters toward the
creation of just and secure society for the future inhabitants

 MAY THE FUTURE BE THE DENTAL RECORDINGS ADDED TO THE VITAL

INFORMATIONS