Forensic odontology is a discipline within forensic science that involves the management, examination, evaluation and presentation of dental evidence in criminal or civil proceedings (1). The main goal of forensic dentists/odontologists is to identify humans (1, 3). Forensic dentists have many methods that are used for dental identification. Some of these methods include bite mark analysis, labeling of dental prosthesis (dentures), rugoscopy (palatal rugae which are located on the roof of the mouth), and cheiloscopy (lip prints) (1). This paper will focus on the process that forensic dentists take to identify humans using teeth, how forensic dentists conduct bite mark comparisons, the methods/techniques that are used to do these comparisons and why forensic odontology is an important discipline in forensic science. The references cited throughout this paper were chosen as they were informative and clear. The majority of the articles cited contained multiple photos that made the information a lot easier to follow. Forensic dentists have played a major role in the identification of remains in mass disasters, in crime investigations, in ethnic studies, and in the identification of decomposed and disfigured bodies in situations such as fire and car accidents (1). Teeth are considered to be a great form for identification as teeth are mostly composed of enamel. Enamel is the hardest tissue in the body and can withstand extremely harsh conditions (1). Two forms of dental identification of humans exist. These two forms are comparative and when no ante-mortem (before death) dental records are available. The comparative form of identification compares the ante-mortem and post-mortem (after death) dental records (1). Dental records con... ... middle of paper ... ...ot be found, the forensic dentists uses a post-mortem dental profiling to aide in narrowing down the search (3). Bite marks are quite common in forensic odontology. The American Board of Forensic Odontology has broken up bite mark analysis into 3 major stages. These stages are a description of bite marks, the collection of evidence from the victim and the suspect and finally, the analysis of the bite marks (5). The methods used to perform this task are the manual process which using tracing, photocopier generated overlays, 2D polyline method and the painting method (4). Despite having better and more improved methods to conduct the comparison of bite marks, there still exists a huge problem. The problem involves the physical properties of skin which may cause the bite mark to change (5). Hopefully, in the future more research is done to overcome this issue.
The skeleton had a hideous impact to the community and was predicted by local investigators to be reasonably modern. To get better understanding and avoid confusion, a bone sample was sent to a laboratory in the USA for investigation and analysation using series of scientific
285) These types of injuries usually come from knives, axes, or other weapons like that. In some instances, a sharp trauma will look like a line across the bone. So, if someone is not trained in knowing what these marks are, they can be easily over looked. According to Byers (2011) “sharp trauma is the result of narrowly focused, dynamic compression forces applied to the surface of a bone.” (p. 285) Unlike blunt or projectile trauma, sharp force will be focused in a single area, unless the suspect us using an ax or machete there won’t be a large amount destruction to the bones. Using an ax or machete however can severely damage the bones that can look like blunt trauma. So, it is important for the forensic anthropologist to be able to distinguish between them.
Odontology is when the use of dental knowledge is used to help solve a crime. Souviron’s use of this technique left no doubt in the court room. This was one of the main reasons for Bundy to be finally convicted of the Chi Omega murders. The number of murders by Ted Bundy will forever be a mystery, but with the use of Odontology, we can guarantee at least one murder done by Bundy.
CONCLUSION “There are just too many variables,” said Dr. C. Michael Bowers, author of “Forensics Dental Evidence: An Investigator’s Handbook,” (Bowers, 2004.)
In order to understand Forensic Anthropology we must break it down into the components. According to Oxford American Dictionary the term Forensic is significant to the use of scientific methods to investigate a crime. Anthropology is defined by Oxford American Dictionary as the study of societies, cultures, and human origins. The combination of both, Forensic and Anthropology, consists of applying the principles which are introduced by Anthropologists to solving a crime. Forensic Anthropology is currently a small field but is expected to grow in the upcoming years due how it is being portrayed in books, television shows, classes, and many other resources. The usage of this field is becoming crucial because of how gruesome the crimes being committed by criminals are becoming. Although Forensic Anthropology is currently a small field it requires a lot of education, carries plenty of job responsibilities, and continues to aid in the solving of crimes.
Forensic psychology is a continually adapting sphere. It is hard to have one solid definition for the field, as there are so many aspects that interlock. Within each attribute of the forensic psychology has roles and responsibilities to sustain. The rapid growth and emerging importance of this field volumes of information will be developed in the next decade.
was a forensic odontology case. This case involved tracking individuals from bite marks as well
Sauer, N. J. (1998). The timing of injuries and manner of death: distinguishing among antemortem, perimortem and postmortem trauma. Forensic Osteology, 2nd edition Springfield, Illinois: Charles C Thomas, 321-332.
Forensic Art is a sometimes misunderstood and ignored resource for the law enforcement community. Starting with what Forensic Art is defined as, most commonly, it is perceived as any art that can or is used in law enforcement or legal proceedings. This field has several recognized skill sets most prevalent of which are demonstrative evidence, crime scene/composite sketches, image modification/ identification, and postmortem or facial reconstruction. Having a history stretching back to the 1800s forensic art has grown and improved over the course of the following years. First giving a brief history on where forensic art started and then following with some of the benefits each skill set of forensic art provides to the law enforcement community. I will try to show the progression of forensic art and how it can be used by modern law enforcement.
In today’s time, modern Crime Scene Investigation has increased rapidly. From throughout the late 1900’s and in the early 2000’s (Taylor 1). For all of the evidence that they find, a solid foundation has formed over the thousands of years of Crime Scene
Compare and evaluate the age estimation methods described by i) Mann, Symes and Bass (1987) in ‘Maxillary suture obliteration: aging the human skeleton based on intact or fragmentary maxilla’, Journal of Forensic Sciences, 32(1):148-157 and ii) Meindl and Lovejoy (1985) in ‘Ectocranial suture closure: a Revised Method for the Determination of Skeletal Age at Death Based on the Lateral-Anterior sutures’ American Journal of Physical Anthropology (68):57-66
Forensic Science, recognized as Forensics, is the solicitation of science to law to understand evidences for crime investigation. Forensic scientists are investigators that collect evidences at the crime scene and analyse it uses technology to reveal scientific evidence in a range of fields. Physical evidence are included things that can be seen, whether with the naked eye or through the use of magnification or other analytical tools. Some of this evidence is categorized as impression evidence2.In this report I’ll determine the areas of forensic science that are relevant to particular investigation and setting out in what method the forensic science procedures I have recognized that would be useful for the particular crime scene.
Forensic odontology is becoming a more ubiquitous method of human identification following gruesome deaths, disasters, and crimes. Usually, the first step in forensic odontology is the comparison of antemortem (before death) dental records and postmortem (after death) dental records (Source 1). Antemortem dental records are useful to match the victim with the cadaver; for instance, if a known person is missing and a body is found, forensic odontologists are able to examine the dental status of the cadaver and analyze any possible correlations to the dental conditions of the victim before death. Victims will not always have clear, accessible dental profiles. In that case, analysis begins with the observations of the cadaver to make identity deductions, enabling specialists to choose the information that best fits the characteristics of the deceased individual (Source 1). This method is called comparative identification. During the comparison process, the ultimate goal is to note
Forensic science has been in practice for centuries; the first textbook on forensic science was printed in China during the 1200's; in the early 1800's, a technique was developed the first test to identify arsenic in the blood stream; the early 1900's lead to the development of using fingerprinting to identify victims and suspects. While these discoveries where important in criminal investigation, they were only the beginning. Only recently has forensic science significantly refined its techniques and accuracy. Today scientists can locate, identify and trace the tiniest of particles, and identify victims and suspects, beyond a reasonable doubt through DNA analysis. This evolution in forensic science is a prosecutor's dream; while a defense attorney's nightmare. Forensic science has made great strides.
Radiography plays an integral role in today’s forensic society. “Forensic investigations can help identify victims of a mass casualty event, lead to development of improved technology to prevent future deaths or serve as the difference between acquittal and conviction in a court of law.” Forensic radiography, in short, is the use of radiographic techniques accompanying legal usage of such images. Since its discovery in 1895, forensic radiography has advanced into other scientific regions, such as x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), skeletal scintigraphy (nuclear bone scan), virtopsy (virtual autopsy), multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), and neuroimaging, thus attributing to a large number of ante and post-mortem cases. Forensic radiography plays a pivotal role in archeology, paleontology, art forgery, and drug smuggling (body packers). Proper training and impeccable knowledge is imperative for a successful radiograph to be admissible as evidence in a civil or criminal court proceeding.