NCJ Number
11520
Date Published
1973
Length
212 pages
Annotation
STEP-BY-STEP TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES FOR POSTMORTEM EXAMINATIONS OF DENTITION TO REVEAL IDENTITY, FOR USE BY CRIMINAL INVESTIGATORS AND FORENSIC ODONTOLOGISTS.
Abstract
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATORS, CORONERS, AND FORENSIC DENTISTS ARE OFTEN CALLED UPON TO EXAMINE REMAINS OF VICTIMS OF VIOLENT DEATH IN ORDER TO MAKE POSITIVE IDENTIFICATIONS. DIRECTING THE READER FROM HIS INITIAL CONTACT WITH A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THROUGH THE COMPLETE DENTAL INVESTIGATION, THE AUTHOR HAS WRITTEN THIS HANDBOOK OF STEP-BY-STEP TECHNIQUES AND PROCEDURES TO AID THOSE FACED WITH THE PROBLEM OF IDENTIFYING A BODY BY THE DENTITION. DR LUNTZ LISTS THE REQUISITE INSTRUMENTS AND SUPPLIES FOR A DENTAL IDENTIFICATION KIT MAINTAINED BY A MEDICAL EXAMINER OR POLICE AGENCY. HE ALSO EXPLAINS HOW TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE MOUTH WHEN THE HEAD IS MUTILATED, BURNED OR DECOMPOSED, AND HOW TO CONDUCT THE POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION AND CHARTING. SEPARATE CHAPTERS ARE DEVOTED TO X-RAY TECHNIQUES, PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT, BITE-MARK INVESTIGATION, AND TRACING ANTEMORTEM DENTAL RECORDS. SAMPLE REPORT AND CHARTING FORMS AND MANY ILLUSTRATIVE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE PROVIDED, AS WELL AS A GLOSSARY OF DENTAL TERMS TO ASSIST THOSE INVESTIGATORS WHO ARE NOT DENTISTS. SEVEN CASE HISTORIES ARE APPENDED AS EXAMPLES OF THE USE OF DENTAL IDENTIFICATION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED). (SNI ABSTRACT)