Forensic Dentistry
Forensic dentistry or forensic odontology involves handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidence in felonious justice cases. Forensic dentists are involved in aiding investigative agencies to identify recovered mortal remains in addition to the identification of whole or fractured bodies. Forensic dentists have also been known to use their investigative ways to identify burn victims by using the victim’s former dental records. Forensic dentists may also be asked to help in determining age, race, occupation, former dental history and socioeconomic status of unidentified mortal beings. The evidence that may be deduced from teeth is the age (in children) and identification of the person to whom the teeth belong. This is done using dental records including radiographs, ante-mortem (previous to death) and post-mortem (after death) photographs and DNA. Another type of evidence is that of bite marks, left on either the victim (by the attacker), the perpetrator (from the victim of an attack), or on an object set up at the crime scene.