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shyscyberchamber.com
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THE ATTIC
:
Dental Identification |
Date
Added
SEP 2002 |
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Identification, by whatever means,
for legal purposes, of an unknown body must be based on a comparison of
ante-mortem records with
post-mortem remains.
While visual identification is the customary procedure in cases of recent death
without complication of disfiguring trauma, other means must be found in event
of
dismembered,
decomposed,
mummified or skeletal remains. |
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Fingerprinting is the most common secondary technique where sufficient
tissue remains, but in the absence of fingerprints, 'oral structures' prove to
be the next most scientifically reliable means of identification for the
following reasons;
1. Human dentition tends to
outlast all other body tissue after death.
2. Dental repairs, restorations and prostheses (false teeth) are particularly
resistant to chemical and physical degradation.
3. Given the infinite number of permutations of aspects of dentition, any given
configuration is, for all practical purposes unique.
4. Radiographic (x-ray) examination is capable of revealing even fuller data on
structural features of the teeth and jaws.
It must be emphasized, however, that for successful positive identification via
dental patterns both ante and post mortem records must be available and with a
complete ante mortem chart it may be possible to make an identification from as
little as a single tooth. |
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The Post Mortem Chart |
Post mortem dental records will be made using a combination of techniques
including diagrammatic charts, radiographs, models, recorded commentary, etc.
The fullest examination should always be made, recording as much information as
possible. This is particularly important when it is not know how much material
will be available on ante mortem records. The main points of subsequent
comparison will be:
1. Number of teeth : Keep in mind the distinct
possibility of post mortem loss in badly decomposed or skeletal subjects.
Supernumery teeth, being rare, are worthy of particular note.
2. Restoration and prostheses : Dentures may prove valuable if they contain
markings that will identify the dental practitioner, manufacturer or wearer. In
America the customers name and social security number may be stamped into the
base material.
3. Dental caries
4. Root cavity treatment
5. Occlusion : Overjet and overbite details should be noted
6. Malposition : Overlapping, overcrowding, unusual spacing, rotation, etc.
7. Unusual formations : Fused teeth, multiple cusps, etc.
8. Oral pathology : Record should be kept of any abnormal anatomical features,
either in the tongue and soft tissues, if present, or the bony structures.
9. Occupational Disfigurement : Those who are obliged to use their mouths as
essential or useful 'tools' in trade or pastimes will frequently exhibit
associated abnormalities or wearing of the teeth - musicians, for example, from
clenching the mouthpieces of their instruments, or carpenters and upholsterers
from holding nails between their teeth.
When all this information has been recorded, the forensic odontologist confronts
the problem of determining, where relevant, the age, gender and ethnic origin of
the subject. |
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Estimation of Age |
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Teeth represent the most reliable indicator of age
in subjects from birth to fourteen years, when growth follows a remarkably
consistent pattern; from fourteen to twenty odd the development and eruption of
the third molars and a standard test. Beyond this age dental development is less
predictable. |
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Gender |
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Determination not reliable by teeth alone,
although it has proved possible to extract dental pulp cells and isolate the Y
chromosomes of males - a reliable test up to five months post mortem. |
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Determination of Ethnic Origin |
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The determination of race is not most reliably
achieved through odontology, and what little can be determined in this way is
generally only supplementary to what has been learned from an examination of the
skull and long bones. |
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