What is forensic odontology?

• Forensic odontology is the study of dental applications in legal proceedings.
• Forensic odontology is proper handling, examination, and evaluation of dental evidence, which will be presented in the interest of justice.
• The evidence that may be derived from the teeth, the age (in children) and identification of the person to whom the teeth may belong
• Father of Foensic odontology: Dr Ascor Amoedo
• Dr. Oscar Amoëdo—Paper: The Bazar de la Charite, 1898
• The book, "L'Art Dentaire en Medecine Legale" by Dr. Oscar Amoedo was published in Paris in 1898.

Mass disasters

Forensic odontology is of immense help in identification of deceased in mass disaster situations like

• Earthquakes
• Tsunamis
• air crash etc

and in the identification of decomposed and disfigured bodies like that of drowned persons, bomb blast, fire victims, and victims of motor vehicle accidents

Factors for Dental Identification

• Number of teeth: The assessment of teeth in the mouth should include those that are present and missing. The number of possibilities that exist for the combination of teeth missing or present may well be enough to obtain a positive identification include those that are present and missing.
• Restorations: A tooth is restored when there is loss of tooth substance due to dental caries, fracture of tooth, any abnormal wearing away of teeth or for an aesthetic reason. The type of filling materials used range from silver amalgam, precious and non-precious metal used for inlays, crowns of gold or porcelain or porcelain fused to metal. Temporary dressings or fillings (Zinc oxide eugenol) may also be used

Continued…

• Dental prosthesis: Like a full denture, removable partial dentures, bridges, orthodontic appliances is very helpful if known.
• Bony Pattern: The medullary bone of the jaws possess a characteristic trabecular pattern which can be duplicated on the post-mortem radiograph. Tooth angulation, root morphology, bone loss, specific changes in pulp chambers and pulpal outlines may also be assessed.
• Occupation, habits and social position: Eg: severe generalised tooth attrition is common among workers continually exposed to atmospheres containing abrasive dust Certain habits may also leave permanent vestiges that may help develop a profile of the indiviual like chronic pipe smoking or long term bagpipe playing may result in an obvious unilateral bimaxillary wear pattern and notching of the upper incisor

Role of Forensic Odontologist

• Identification of unknown human remains through dental records.
• Providing assistance to forensic experts and police personals in cases of mass disaster.
• Age estimations of both living and deceased persons (including neo-natal remains).
• Analysis of bite marks found on victims or accused in case of physical or sexual assault.
• Identification of bite-marks on substances such as wood, leather and foodstuffs.
• Forensic odontologist can also help in the identification of the weapon of offence using the same principles of bite mark analysis.
• Forensic odontologist can also act as expert witness in cases involving bite or weapon mark.
• Forensic odontologist can provide assistance to archeologists in building up a dietary history of a tribe or a race.