1. Forensic Odontology

2. What is Forensic Odontology used for?
Body Identification
Bite Mark Analysis

3. Maxilla – upper jaw Mandible – lower jaw Anatomy of Oral Cavity:
Forensic Odontology > Body Identification
Anatomy of Oral Cavity:
Maxilla – upper jaw
Mandible – lower jaw

4. Anatomy of Oral Cavity Primary dentition Baby teeth or milk teeth
Forensic Odontology > Body Identification
Anatomy of Oral Cavity
Primary dentition
Baby teeth or milk teeth
20 teeth

5. Permanent dentition Anatomy of Oral Cavity Start at 6-8 years old
Forensic Odontology > Body Identification
Anatomy of Oral Cavity
Permanent dentition
Start at 6-8 years old
32 teeth

6. Anatomy of Tooth Crown Enamel Pulp Root Cementum
Forensic Odontology > Body Identification
Anatomy of Tooth
Crown
Enamel
Pulp
Contains DNA
Root
Cementum

7. Forensic Odontology > Body Identification
A body is identified by comparing teeth and bone structures of the body to the dental records of the suspected individual.

8. A body is identified in 3 steps:
Forensic Odontology > Body Identification
A body is identified in 3 steps:
1. Postmortem examination of the body
2. Locating the antemortem dental records
3. Comparing the body to the dental records

9. Postmortem Examination:
Forensic Odontology > Body Identification
Postmortem Examination:
May examine teeth while in the body (if body needed for funeral) or
May remove jaw (using bone saw) and remove soft tissue using hydrogen peroxide.

10. Postmortem Examination
Forensic Odontology > Body Identification
Postmortem Examination
Each tooth or socket is examined individually and the following is recorded:
1. Presence/absence of tooth
2. Socket present or healed
Healed socket = past removal
Present socket = recent removal
3. Erupted vs. Unerupted
4. Filling or Crown Material

11. Postmortem Examination
Forensic Odontology > Body Identification
Postmortem Examination
After examination of teeth, they should be photographed and X-rays should be taken.

12. Forensic Odontology > Body Identification
Antemortem Records
If body is known, dental records can usually be recovered from his or her dentist.
If body is unknown, the examination results are submitted to a missing person registry.

13. Identification in Mass Disasters:
Forensic Odontology > Body Identification
Identification in Mass Disasters:
Split into 4 teams. Run by Chief Forensic Dentist.
1. Recovery at disaster scene.
2. Postmortem exams at morgue.
3. Collect antemortem dental records.
4. Comparisons with computer software.

14. September 11
In the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, only around half of the estimated 2,749 victims were ever identified, through a mixture of DNA , jewellery, and dental records.

15. Normal Adult Human Teeth

16. What to look for in a bite mark…
distance from canine to canine
tooth alignment
teeth width, thickness, spacing
missing teeth
wear patterns including chips and grinding
dental history including fillings, crowns, etc.

17. Every tooth has a name… 3rd Molar (wisdom tooth)
2nd Molar (12-yr molar)
1st Molar (6-yr molar)
2nd Bicuspid (2nd premolar)
1st Bicuspid (1st premolar)
Cuspid (canine/eye tooth)
Lateral incisor
Central incisor

18. Case Study –Roy Brown Bite-mark Analysis Controversy
In January 2007, prisoner Roy Brown, who had been convicted of murder in New York in 1992, was set free. Brown was one of many prisoners who have been released after DNA analysis, not available or widely used during their trial, cleared them of their crimes. In Brown's case, bite-mark analysis was instrumental in his conviction. But DNA from saliva left on the bite matched with a different suspect. So what went wrong?
The bite mark in the Brown case showed six tooth impressions from the front teeth of the upper jaw, although he was missing two teeth at the time. The expert witness claimed that Brown could have moved the skin of the victim around when biting to make it appear that he wasn't missing any teeth. Although this testimony was not the only evidence used by the prosecution, it was instrumental in helping jurors reach a guilty verdict.

19. Case Study – Vampire Rapist
Known as the Vampire Rapist for his distinctive modus operandi, Wayne Clifford Boden sparked a 2-year reign of terror in Montreal in the early 70’s. His victims were young women whom he would rape, strangle and then bite their breasts. All the victims were found to have a peculiar serene look when found. He received life in prison after being convicted with help from orthodontist testimony and his own bite marks.

20. Activities Watch Odontology1.flv Do Teeth Impressions activity
Read Ted Bundy case study