Chapter 8 – Forensic Odontology

FRSC 7104Criminalistics I

Professor Bensley

FRSC 7104 – Chapter 8 ObjectivesAfter studying this chapter, the student should be

able to: Recognize the basic anatomy of the human

dentition and understand the process of tooth development

Understand the determinations that are incorporated in the analysis of teeth and bitemark evidence

FRSC 7104 – Chapter 8 Outline

I. Introduction (Human Identification)II. Bitemark Impressions

III. History of Forensic OdontologyIV. Class vs. Individual Characteristics

FRSC 7104 – Chapter 8 Outline

Childhood AdulthoodTeeth Through the Years

• Primary teeth sprout from milk buds and are temporary. Once they fall out, permanent teeth as seen on the other side appear.

Permanent adult teeth come in when primary teeth fall out; they are permanent because they establish roots inside the gums. Third molar come in around the mid teenage years.

FRSC 7104 – Chapter 8 Outline

FRSC 7104 – Chapter 8 Outline

V. Various SurfacesA. Human skinB. Dragmarks

C. Bitemark vs. Time of Death D. Offensive vs. DefensiveE. Passage of time since BitemarkF. DNA

State of Florida v. Ted Bundy

Evidence, various pictures from trial

Ted Bundy, was an American serial killer who murdered numerous young women between 1974 and 1978. He confessed to 30 murders, however the total amount of victims remains unknown. He would bludgeon his victims, then strangle them to death. He engaged in rape and necrophilia.

FRSC 7104 – Chapter 8 OutlineVI. Analytical Techniques in Forensic Odontology

A. Description1. Types of injuries

a. Hemmorhageb. Contusionc. Abrasiond. Laceratione. Avulsionf. Artifact

1) Low forensic significance

2) Moderate forensic significance

3) High forensic significance

4) High forensic significance

5) Moderate forensic significance6) Low forensic significance

FRSC 7104 – Chapter 8 Outline

B. Evidence Collection from Victim

C. Evidence Collection from Suspect

D. Comparisons

FRSC 7104 – Chapter 22 Outline

Interesting Teeth Patterns

FRSC 7104 – Chapter 8 Outline

VII. Results

Chapter Summary:• Dental identification can be conducted through

comparison of dental remains to either antemortem or postmortem records

• Forensic anthropology plays a central role in the identification of people who are not identifiable by fingerprints or photographs

• Bitemark evidence is a form of impression evidence that can play an important role in the outcome of a case