Forensic odontology
(Redirected from Forensic dentistry)
Forensic odontology, also known as forensic dentistry, is a branch of forensics that involves the application of dental knowledge to legal investigations. This field is primarily concerned with the identification of individuals based on their dental records, but it also includes the examination of bite marks and dental injuries in cases of assault or abuse.
History[edit | edit source]
The use of dental records in forensic investigations dates back to the 19th century. The first recorded case of dental identification was in 1849, when a dentist identified the body of Dr. Parkman, a Bostonian who had been murdered and dismembered. Since then, forensic odontology has played a crucial role in numerous high-profile cases, including the identification of Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun, the victims of the John Wayne Gacy murders, and the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Methods[edit | edit source]
Forensic odontologists use a variety of methods to identify individuals and analyze dental evidence. These include:
- Dental Radiographs: These are used to compare the dental records of a missing person with those of an unidentified body. This is often the most reliable method of identification, as dental records are unique to each individual.
- Bite Mark Analysis: This involves comparing the bite marks found on a victim or at a crime scene with the dental records of a suspect. This method is often used in cases of sexual assault or child abuse.
- Age Estimation: Forensic odontologists can estimate the age of an individual based on the development and wear of their teeth. This method is often used in cases involving unidentified bodies or human remains.
Challenges[edit | edit source]
Despite its many successes, forensic odontology is not without its challenges. The accuracy of bite mark analysis, in particular, has been called into question, with some studies suggesting that it is not a reliable method of identification. Additionally, the field is heavily reliant on the availability and quality of dental records, which can be a limiting factor in some cases.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Forensic odontology Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
