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Dental Detectives: Unveiling the Forensic Symphony of Prosthodontics and Odontology in Swift Victim Identification
Authors: Arpit Sikri1, Jyotsana Sikri2, Vritti Piplani3
Number of views: 4
Forensic odontology, a discipline with historical roots dating back to 66 AD,
plays a crucial role in identifying victims within the legal system.
The term "forensic" is derived from the Latin word 'forum,' meaning a court of
law, while "odontology" refers to the study of teeth. This specialized field of
dentistry contributes to justice by carefully examining dental evidence and
presenting essential findings.
Dental records and the expertise of forensic dental surgeons are particularly
important in identifying deceased individuals, especially in cases where visual or
fingerprint methods are insufficient due to postmortem changes or injuries.
Prosthodontists, specialists in dental prosthetics, are becoming increasingly
indispensable in maintaining comprehensive records.
In situations where fingerprinting is impractical, dental identification becomes
a critical tool. Forensic odontology focuses on scrutinizing dental evidence for
legal purposes, highlighting the uniqueness of teeth influenced by various factors.
Individually tailored dental prosthetics serve as primary identifiers in forensic
cases involving unidentified bodies, filling crucial gaps where fingerprint
databases fall short.
During major disasters like aviation accidents or natural calamities such as
earthquakes, swift and accurate victim identification is imperative. Victims with
intact or most of their teeth provide vital characteristics for effective forensic
identification. Prosthodontists, equipped with diverse identification techniques,
play a pivotal role in such investigations, particularly when victims have dental
prosthetics, offering essential clues for identification.
Comparing postmortem dental remains with pre-death records, such as X-rays,
is a common practice to confirm identities. Denture markings play a significant role
in this process, providing a swift and reliable method of identification, especially
when other methods fail.
While standardized methods may be lacking, dental practitioners are urged to
maintain comprehensive records, including denture markings, emphasizing the
importance of readiness for disaster identification. Materials like all-acrylic
dentures can be inscribed with a patient's name before fitting, contributing to rapid
identification.
Notably, in severe accidents where limbs are damaged, certain denture
materials, particularly acrylic and metal-based types, often survive, enabling quick
identification during calamities. Forensic odontology, an integral part of forensic
science, has utilized dental findings for a century to aid the legal system.