FORENSIC

ODONTOLOGY
Forensic
Odontology:
application of
dentistry in
legal
proceedings
deriving from
ANY evidence
that pertains
to teeth.
Why are teeth useful in forensics?
What does a Forensic Odontologist
do?

Assist with identification

Compare Bite Marks
Analyze head and neck injuries
Analyze dental malpractice cases
Teeth Basics
The Human Dentition
32 teeth in the adult human

4 types of teeth
Dental formula: 2-1-2-3

Each type differs in:

Size
Shape
Root Type
8 INCISORS

crown

neck

root
4 CANINES

crown

neck

root
 8 PRE-MOLARS (BICUSPIDS)
cusps
crown

neck

roots
12 MOLARS

crown cusps

neck

roots
The Human Dentition: Juveniles
Deciduous
dentition
Contains 20
teeth
No
Premolars
The Human Dentition: Juveniles
Dental
Aging Chart
The Human Dentition: Adults
The Human Dentition: Adults
Contains all 32
teeth (in theory)
Most adults
really only have
28 teeth, after
the wisdom
teeth have been
removed
Analyzing Teeth
Mouth divided into 4 quadrants
Left and right maxilla (top)
Left and right mandible (bottom)

Each quadrant has the same

number of teeth (2-1-2-3)
2 incisors
1 canine
2 premolars
3 molars
Tooth Surfaces
Teeth are analyzed by their
surfaces
Mesial
Distal
Occlusal
Incisal
Lingual
Buccal
Labial
Mesial
Touches
the tooth
in front
of it
Distal
Touches
the tooth
in back
Occlusal
Chewing
surface
Incisal
Edges of
front
teeth
Lingual
Faces
the
tongue
Buccal
Faces
the
cheek
Labial
Faces
the lips
ANALYZING TEETH
ANALYZING TEETH
Each tooth is
numbered.

Dental work
is noted.

Sheets kept
on file
forever.
Individual Dental Characteristics
Individual Dental Characteristics

Dental work
Crowns
Extractions
Bridge
Fillings
Root canals
Individual Dental Characteristics
IDENTIFICATION
Post mortem
Postmortem Dental ID

Begins at autopsy
Odontogram
Photos
X-rays
Conditions of teeth

Examined one of two ways:

in situ (in place)
Myotomy (removed)
In Situ
Myotomy
Process of Identification
Common Burn Victim
POST MORTEM PHOTOGRAPH
POSTMORTEM X-RAY
(SAME INDIVIDUAL)
Post-Mortem X-ray
 COMPARISON

The post mortem records are then compared to living records to find a
positive match
 COMPARISON
Postmortem Antemortem