Beneath the Surface: The Indispensable Science of Forensic Odontology
Forensic odontology, also known as forensic dentistry, is a specialized field of dentistry that involves the proper handling and examination of dental evidence to identify human remains and assist in criminal or disaster investigations. Forensic odontologists also play a crucial role in the criminal justice system by using their expertise in dentistry to provide valuable information that can help solve abuse or death cases. The forensic odontologist assists legal authorities by examining dental evidence. The dentist and the dental practice have some responsibility to aid in the identity and examination process by retaining accurate records of their patients in the unlikely situation that one of the patients in the practice may need to be identified post-mortem.
There are three significant areas of activity in forensic odontology:
- The examination and evaluation of injuries to teeth, jaws, and oral tissues resulting from various causes (abuse, assault, mass disasters, and crime-related injuries).
- Examining marks with a view to subsequent elimination or possible identification of a suspect as the perpetrator.
- The examination of dental remains(whether in part or complete and including all types of dental restorations) from unknown persons or bodies with a view to the possible identification of the remains.
The Importance of Dental Remains
Hard structures of the human dentition are incredibly resistant to fire, decay, water, and natural disasters. Even years after burial, hard dental structures remain intact. The fact that tooth structures remain intact aids the forensic odontologist in identifying human remains, providing proof for litigation relating to malpractice, and in evidence gathering for criminal proceedings involving abuse or assault.
Human dentition is considered to be as unique as the human fingerprint. The uniqueness occurs from physiological differences and reconstruction and restoration of teeth and jaws that remain in records for a patient's lifetime.
The soft tissue and other structures of the human body do not retain the same resistant features as the oral tissue. The body can be disfigured or decayed beyond recognition. The dentist can play a role in the identification of human remains. Forensic dentistry relies on these indestructible materials of the oral cavity to enable the accumulation of identifying evidence.
One of the critical aspects of forensic odontology is record keeping. Dental records are an essential tool for forensic odontologists, as they provide information about a person's dental history that can be used for identification purposes. Records such as dental charts, x-rays, and treatment plans can be compared to the teeth of a deceased individual to determine if there is a match. Proper record-keeping is essential to ensure that accurate and reliable information is available.
In addition to record keeping, forensic odontologists also analyze dental evidence found at crime scenes. This includes dental impressions, bite marks, and materials such as fillings and crowns. By examining these pieces of evidence, forensic odontologists can help identify suspects, connect individuals to crime scenes, and provide crucial information to investigators.
One of the ways that forensic odontologists retain dental impression models is by creating detailed molds of a person's teeth. These models can be used to compare dental records and assist in identifying individuals. Retaining these models is vital for ensuring that accurate information is available in cases where dental evidence is needed.
Disaster recovery is another important aspect of forensic odontology. In the event of a mass disaster, such as a plane crash or natural disaster, forensic odontologists may be called upon to help identify victims based on their dental records and evidence. By working quickly and efficiently, forensic odontologists can help bring closure to families and assist in the identification process.
The Role of The Dentist in Forensic Investigations
Studies have shown that dental practitioners fall behind in their responsibility to maintain accurate dental records or lack the knowledge to know the significance of record management, bite-mark patterns of the teeth, the correct and sensitive way of identification, or are aware that they could testify as an expert witness in the court of law. Also, the average dental practitioner has little formal training in collecting, evaluating, and presenting dental evidence.
The success of forensic dentistry can only be achieved if the dentist maintains accurate records of the patients within their practice. This includes up-to-date radiographs, dental charting that provides for complete odontograms of missing teeth, pathologies, bite registration, restorations, prosthetic replacement of missing teeth, morphological variations of teeth, and intra and extra-oral photographs. The dental practitioner must supply this information to identify an unknown body or remains.
In conclusion, forensic odontology plays a critical role in forensic science. By utilizing their expertise in dentistry and dental evidence, forensic odontologists help solve crimes, identify human remains, and provide closure to families of missing individuals. Forensic odontologists make valuable contributions to the criminal justice system through proper remains handling, dental evidence analysis, and disaster recovery efforts.
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Maryanne Ferree RDH, BS, PHDHP
Maryanne Ferree, BS, RDH, PHDHP, CDIPC from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a registered dental hygienist with over 39 years of experience. She has ventured into many facets of dental hygiene, including clinical care, public health, and education. She is currently a clinical faculty member in the Department of Periodontics and Preventive Dentistry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine focusing her clinical teaching on Periodontal Instrumentation. She has been excited to step into the role of KOL and blogger to share her enthusiasm for infection control in the dental setting, OSHA compliance training, and periodontal disease therapy.
References:
Mohammed F, Fairozekhan AT, Bhat S, et al. Forensic Odontology. [Updated 2023 Aug 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK540984/
Rathod, V., Desai, V., Pundir, S., Dixit, S., & Chandraker, R. (2017). Role of forensic dentistry for dental practitioners: A comprehensive study. Journal of Forensic Dental Sciences, 9(2), 108–109. https://doi.org/10.4103/jfo.jfds_93_15
