Forensic Odontology (From Medicolegal Investigation of Death, P 71-87, 1980, by Werner U Spitz and Russell S Fisher - See NCJ-69730)

• NCJ Number: 69732
• Author(s): I M Sopher
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 17 pages
• Sale Source: Charles C. Thomas
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The use of forensic odontological methods in the identification of unknown deceased persons, as presented in a forensic pathology text, is discussed; postmortem dental examination and age determination are included.

Abstract

The fundamental principles of dental identification are those of comparison when antemortem records of the proposed decreased are available and exclusion when antemortem records of other persons only are available. Identification necessitates a list of possible persons involved so that appropriate records can be located. The adult dentition is comprised of 32 teeth; each tooth possesses 5 surfaces visible on oral examination. The innumerable combinations of missing teeth, filling materials, carious lesions, and prostheses involving the 160 surfaces form the basis for dental identification. Specific morphologic patterns of individual restorations further enhance characterization. There are approximately 2.5 billion different possibilities in charting the human mouth, a fact which supports the premise that no two dentitions are alike. Dental identification assumes a paramount role in victim identification when postmortem changes, traumatic injury, or the lack of previous fingerprint records for comparison invalidates the use of visual or fingerprint methods. The postmortem oral examination should include not only the oral cavity of the victim but the surrounding particularly in cases of conflagration or injuries. Postmortem dental charting should include missing, unerupted, or extracted teeth; restorations and prostheses; decay; root canal therapy; and relationship of the bite. Age determination on the basis of teeth beyond the age of 20 years is extremely difficult. Occupational and social characteristics may be evident through dental examination. On occasion, bite marks have played a decisive role in criminal identification. Twenty-nine references, photographs, and sketches are included. For related documents, see NCJ 69731 and 69733-47.