Policie České republiky – Kriminalistický ústav
06
Forensic Dental Analysis
Forensic odontology is a special subdiscipline of forensic anthropology concentrating especially on identification of human remains through teeth.
Teeth play an important role in the identification process especially because they:
- are resistant against external factors (soil, water, fire) and that is why they are usually well-preserved,
- are well-documented thanks to regular checks at the dentist (description of the dentition/teeth condition, records on dental procedures, dentures, etc.), including X-ray images,
- often contain fillings which can represent a useful source of information,
- belong to the skeleton parts from which DNA can be reliably isolated,
- provide information on age, health condition, diet quality and hygiene,
- data from the dental records and X-rays of a person obtained during their life (ante-mortem) can be compared to the dental data obtained from the skeletal remains , it means after death (post-mortem).
Odontology examination is the visual evaluation and oral description of teeth of the skeletal remains or unknown corpse and it includes:
- number, type and localization of teeth,
- abnormalities, pathological changes and changes caused by trauma,
- degree of wear of the occlusal surface of teeth (attrition),
- localization, shape and type of material of tooth fillings and of fixed prosthodontics and removable denture,
- making of X-rays or CT images.
The following are used for comparison with post-mortem data:
- radiographic or CT images preserved in dental records or in any other medical records of the selected person,
- medical records of the selected person contain the description of teeth, description of dental treatment, records of material used for dentures, etc.
Dental Fillings:
- well-visible in the X-rays,
- their shape almost does not change in the course of time
- throughout the years different materials were used which might help to estimate the age of the remains found,
- elemental analysis of the material used can help specify where a tooth filling was made.