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3912What is Forensic Odontology? |
| Date Added: October 23, 2008 10:20:53 PM |
| Author: Webanalytix |
| Category: |
| Have you ever found yourself watching a crime investigative show on television and wondered how the police actually tracked an assailant based solely upon a bite mark left on a victim? Who did the medical examiner or the police investigators call to get the bite mark analyzed? Well, if you received that call and you are an expert in comparing bite marks to dental records, you’re probably make your living as a forensic odontologist. Forensic odontology is a specific field that can not only provide assistance in identifying assailants in crimes but it is a science that can help identify human remains from the past, assist with dental malpractice suits and help out in any cases that require identifying a person by their dental records. Dentists are generally required to keep competent records of their patients so that a forensic odontologist may be able to have access to these records for comparison sake. The theory among forensic odontologists is that no two mouths are alike, each with their own unique features much like a fingerprint. Each person not only has a different mouth but has had different treatments done on different teeth throughout their lives. However, even though each mouth may be unique, a bite mark may not be an exact representation of the actual teeth depending on jaw movement, pressure applied and other variables at the time of the incident. Due to these potential discrepancies in bite mark impressions, a forensic odontologist may only be able to give a limited opinion on the matter. Forensic Odontology is a somewhat precise science though. Some forensic odontologists are not board certified dentists however many of them are or may enjoy forensic odontology as a hobby. There are a great number of court cases today that must call on forensic odontologists to testify in court. Some are more credible than others depending on their experience and credentials. The study of forensic odontology is nothing new in fact it has been around for more than two thousand years. Way back then, and throughout history, forensic odontology has been used in identifying many victims of war. During the Revolutionary War for instance, forensic odontology was used in identifying the thousands that were killed as teeth are extremely resistant to all sorts of trauma, including fire. Teeth are also very slow to decompose, making it easier for the forensic odontologist to assist paleontologists or archeologists to identify people from many, many years ago. |
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