FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY for personal identification

Odontology

1. FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY
Dentistry in Forensics

2. How can teeth help
investigators?
•Identify a suspect by comparing
bite mark evidence to the
suspect’s teeth.
•Identify a victim by comparing the
teeth to the dental records of
known missing people.

3. BITE MARK EVIDENCE
1.Photograph the area with a ruler near
the injury (in color and B&W).
2.Area is swabbed for traces of saliva
(may contain DNA)
3.Area is swabbed for microorganisms
4.Impressions of the bite mark are
made.

4. Photographing
the injury

5. We have a suspect, now what?
1.Get the suspect’s permission for
a body search.
2.Take saliva samples.
3.Photograph the teeth with a ruler
in place for comparison.
4.Impressions are made of the
teeth.

6. Serial Killer
Ted Bundy
Impressions
being made
of Bundy’s
teeth.

7. Development of
a child’s teeth
can help
estimate the
age of a young
victim.

8. Dental
Chart for
humans

9. The dark
markings
identify specific
characteristics.
Fillings, caps,
chips, evidence
of dental work

10. Vet’s Dental Chart: Animal Bites

11. Bite mark on a body

12. Comparison of chimpanzee, A.
afarensis, and human dentition

13. Unique characteristics

14. What Else can be
Learned from
Teeth?

15. Dental Erosion-vomiting too much

16. STAINING #1-from specific
antibiotic use when teeth were
developing

17. STAINING #2-from smoking

18. WORN TEETH #1-pipe smoker

19. WORN TEETH #2-electrician
(stripping wires with teeth)

20. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
different dental practices

21. TEETH: Note size and shape

22. Teeth are important
in Forensics!
The End

23. References
•http://www.forensicdentalscience.com/ima
ges/bundy1.jpg
•James, Stuart H. and Nordby, Jon J.
Forensic Science: An Introduction to
Scientific and Investigative Techniques.
CRC Press; Boca Raton, 2003.
•Other Google images