forensic odontology. what is a forensic odontologist? a dentist, who consults in human...
TRANSCRIPT
What is a Forensic Odontologist?
• A dentist, who consults in human identification cases, NOT FULL TIME
• Works with cases of violent crime, child abuse, elder abuse, missing persons, and mass disaster scenarios
• Dental evidence can aid victim identification, suspect identification, and assist with investigative casework
Four Scenarios which Require Dental Examination
• Intact body with little or no decomposition found with no identification – absence of personal effects or missing persons reports
• Decomposing or skeletonized human remains • High energy accidents or terrorist acts – severe
trauma, dismemberment and fragmentation• Homicide cases – possible bitemarks
The Use of Teeth by Forensic Science
• 20 deciduous teeth, 32 adult teeth
• Transition period from 6-12 years
• Asian and Native populations have shovel shaped incisors
• Age of dental fillings• Orthodontic work –
usually removal of four bicuspids
Factors that can Change the Appearance of Teeth over a Lifetime
• Severe wear caused by dietary habits
• Dental work, medical devices, skull features, tooth changes
• Faster and cheaper than DNA identification
Language of Dental Identification• Two parts of a tooth:
– The crown that shows in the mouth– The root that is embedded in the gums or jawbone
• The front teeth have one root, the back teeth can have as many as four
Human Tooth Morphology
• Front teeth – Incisors – used for cutting and tearing food
• Canines – eyeteeth, cuspids – longest rooted, used for tearing and shredding
• Back teeth – Bicuspids – premolars
• Molars – most chewing surfaces
Analysis of Bitemark Evidence
• Is the pattern a bitemark? Could it be human teeth? Does the area allow swabbing for DNA? Do the teeth marks present possess enough information to identify one person?
• Typical locations of bitemarks – breasts, abdomen, thighs and genitals, if the bites are by an animal – extremities and face