Crime rates have shot up all over the world. No matter which part of the globe you are,one always comes across a case of murder or missing person somewhere. Pick up any newspaper of any date and you will find a case of murder or other crime printed in it.There won,t be a single day where a case of murder isn't printed in a newspaper.
Unfortunate to write it here but criminals many a times, especially in a case of murder disfigure the face of victim with a stone or any other object so that the face of victim cannot be recognized and identity cannot be established.
It is here that forensic department plays a crucial part.Forensic professionals help identify the person.
Forensic odontologists are highly experienced, specially trained dentists who use their expertise to help identify unknown remains and trace bite marks to a specific individual.
Forensic odontologists, also called forensic dentists, are typically called in to:
- Identify human remains that cannot be identified using face recognition, fingerprints or other means
- Identify bodies in mass fatalities, such as plane crashes and natural disasters
- Determine the source of bite mark injuries, in cases of assault or suspected abuse
- Estimate the age of skeletal remains
- Testify in cases of dental malpractice
The forensic odontologist may be called in by police officers, the medical examiner or the coroner.
In death cases, the forensic odontologist attends the autopsy and takes photographs, cranial measurements, dental impressions and x-rays from the remains. These samples are then compared to those of known missing individuals. If a match can be made, the remains can be identified.
In cases where bite marks are found on the body of a victim or suspected perpetrator, or on food, chewing gum or another item, the forensic odontologist uses the same procedure to try to determine or exclude potential sources of the bite marks.
The forensic odontologist then writes a detailed report explaining what was done and what conclusions can be made. The forensic odontologist must be prepared to explain the process and justify the findings in court.
There's a valuable expertise called dental forensics. Dentists trained in forensics are skilled at identifying victims of a homicide or a disaster, such as a plane crash, a war or explosion. They help identify the victims of violence. They can establish positive identifications, sometimes in a matter of minutes with sophisticated computer identification programs.
What is dentistry's involvement in forensic medicine?
Forensic medicine is a science that deals with the relation and application of medical facts to legal problems. Dentists who work in forensics now can establish a positive identification of human remains -- sometimes in a matter of minutes, even without dental records.
How is technology beneficial to dentists in identifying the remains of crime victims and missing persons?
Where no dental X-rays are available,digital photographs taken of the teeth can be used to compare a smiling photograph taken during the victim's life.
Quick identification is the main goal, so in many countries there is a research going on to develop a nationwide "high speed" dental identification system that can compare thousands of dental records in minutes and automatically rank possible matches. For those wondering and worrying about the fate of a missing relative, a shorter wait means closure, so grieving and recovery can begin.
The arrangement of each person's teeth is virtually unique, and almost all of us have had some kind of dental treatment. Where dental records are available, it is possible to study a set of teeth and compare the teeth with dental records. This comparison allows dentists to establish the identity of a body, just like fingerprints or DNA evidence.
Forensic odontologists usually work as regular dentists much of the time, performing forensic examinations as needed at the request of local law enforcement agencies or the medical examiner.
In death cases, the forensic odontologist may go to the crime or disaster scene. Otherwise, the measurements and x-rays are taken as part of the autopsy.
Since crimes and disasters can happen at any time, a forensic odontologist “on call” must be ready to work long hours, day or night, on holidays and on weekends.
The work is highly detailed, demands extremely fine motor skills and requires extraordinary precision and accuracy. Complex equipment, including computers, microscopes and other technologies, may be used in the identification process.
Forensic odontology requires attention to detail and the ability to work patiently to complete a lengthy process step by step without rushing.
The forensic odontologist must be able to make conclusions based solely on the physical evidence available.
The forensic odontologist must be able to make conclusions based solely on the physical evidence available.
The forensic odontologist must keep accurate and complete records.
Above all he should be honest and not be corrupt.He should not alter the facts and mislead a persons identity.
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