Forensic Odontology

Forensic odontology is the application of dental science to legal investigations, primarily involving the identification of the offender by comparing dental records to a bite mark left on the victim or at the scene, or identification of human remains based on dental records. Criminals have been known to leave bite mark impressions at the crime scene, whether it be in food, chewing gum or, more commonly, on the victim. When a bite mark is discovered, numerous steps should be taken. Once the mark has been sufficiently photographed, a saliva sample is taken from the area for potential DNA evidence. Casts or moulds can then be made. If another bite impression is found elsewhere or if a teeth impression is taken from a suspect, a comparison can be made. Bite marks may be found on the flesh of victims of a violent attack. In identifying human remains based in their teeth, dental records should ideally be obtained and compared to those of the unidentified body. Tooth eruption is linked to a certain extent with age, giving a possible rough estimation of the victim. The state and wear patterns of an individual’s teeth may give insight into the person’s age, diet, and dental history, as well as personal habits such as pipe-smoking and eating disorders. Aside from criminal cases, forensic odontologists and dentists are greatly involved in the identification of victims of mass disasters. Dental records in particular are beneficial in identifying such victims. Forensic odontology helps in the identification of victims when the body is left in an unrecognizable state. This is achieved through an examination of their teeth, the alignment, and overall structure of the mouth. Forensic dentists or odontologists aid in the comparative identification of a person by examining the development and anatomy of the teeth including any restorative dental corrections such as filling. It is often applied to criminal investigations for bite mark analysis.