FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY

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