1. Dentistry in Forensics
FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY
Dentistry in Forensics

2. How can teeth help investigators?
Identify a suspect by comparing bite mark evidence to the suspect’s teeth.
Identify a victim by comparing the teeth to the dental records of known missing people.

3. BITE MARK EVIDENCE
Photograph the area with a ruler near the injury (in color and B&W).
Area is swabbed for traces of saliva (may contain DNA)
Area is swabbed for microorganisms
Impressions of the bite mark are made.

4. Photographing the injury

5. We have a suspect, now what?
Get the suspect’s permission for a body search.
Take saliva samples.
Photograph the teeth with a ruler in place for comparison.
Impressions are made of the teeth.

6. Serial Killer Ted Bundy
Impressions being made of Bundy’s teeth.

7. Development of a child’s teeth can help estimate the age of a young victim.

8. Dental Chart for humans

9. The dark markings identify specific characteristics.
Fillings, caps, chips, evidence of dental work

10. Vet’s Dental Chart: Animal Bites

11. Bite mark on a body

12. Comparison of chimpanzee, A. afarensis, and human dentition

13. Unique characteristics

14. What Else can be Learned from Teeth?

15. Dental Erosion- vomiting too much

16. STAINING #1- from specific antibiotic use when teeth were developing

17. STAINING #2- from smoking

18. WORN TEETH #1- pipe smoker

19. WORN TEETH #2- electrician (stripping wires with teeth)

20. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN different dental practices

21. TEETH: Note size and shape

22. Teeth are important in Forensics!
The End

23. References http://www.forensicdentalscience.com/images/bundy1.jpg
James, Stuart H. and Nordby, Jon J. Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific and Investigative Techniques. CRC Press; Boca Raton, 2003.
Other Google images