Citation

Kiranmayi G. J. Forensic Odontostomatol. 2013; 31(Suppl 1): 155.

Affiliation

Pinnamaneni Siddhartha institution of Dental Sciences, Chinnaoutpalli, Gannavaram. India.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Meditor)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

24362221

Abstract

Forensic odontology has been defined as that branch of dentistry which, in the interest of justice, deals with the proper handling and examination of dental evidence and with the proper evaluation and presentation of dental findings. Forensic odontology has played a key role in identification of persons in mass disasters (aviation, earthquakes, Tsunamis), in crime investigation, in ethnic studies, and in identification of decomposed and disfigured bodies like that of drowned persons, fire victims, and victims of motor vehicle accidents. The various methods employed in forensic odontology include rugoscopy, cheiloscopy, bite marks, tooth prints, radiographs, photographic study, and molecular methods. Though the shortcomings with these various methods are few, the discrepancies associated with them are to be weighed cautiously to make forensic odontology a more accurate, reliable, and reproducible investigatory science. Dentistry has much to offer law enforcement in the detection and solution of crime or in civil proceedings. Forensic dental fieldwork requires an interdisciplinary knowledge of dental science. Most often the role of the forensic odontologist is to establish a person's identity. Teeth, with their physiologic variations, pathosis and effects of therapy, record information that remains throughout life and beyond. Forensic odontology has an important role in the recognition of abuse among persons of all ages. Dental professionals have a major role to play in keeping accurate dental records and providing all necessary information so that legal authorities may recognize malpractice, negligence, fraud or abuse, and identify unknown humans. Forensic odontology involves the management, examination, evaluation and presentation of dental evidence in criminal or civil proceedings, all in the interest of justice. The forensic odontologist assists legal authorities by examining dental evidence in different situations. The subject can be divided roughly into 3 major fields of activity: civil or non-criminal, criminal and research.

Language: en