NCJ Number
141908
Journal
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Gazette Volume: 55 Issue: 3 Dated: (1993) Pages: 1-3
Date Published
1993
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Forensic dentistry is concerned with identifying people by means of their unique dentition and can be particularly useful in the identification of suspects from bite marks in human tissue, foods, or wax; in Canada, however, the provision of forensic odontology services is not organized at the national level.
Abstract
The identification of suspects from bite marks in criminal cases is somewhat rare in Canada. The process of bite mark identification is complex, requiring a high degree of expertise. In the past 20 years, forensic dentistry has found its way into criminal investigations in Canada. Positive identification of suspects using forensic dentistry relies on the uniqueness of one's teeth with respect to jaw structure, tooth size, tooth shape and orientation, trauma, disease or diet, and dental treatment. Most Canadian dental schools offer limited opportunities for dental students to learn about forensic odontology. Further, each Canadian province and police department act independently in developing and acquiring forensic odontology services. Dental practitioners thus operate in isolation from each other, and there is no formal process whereby odontologists provide support to each other in comparisons and identification opinions. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is currently assisting a number of dentists in such areas as physical matching, courtroom presentations, and police- dentist interactions. 2 photographs