Odontology In Criminal Justice

Forensic odontologists are experienced medical professionals, who are trained dentist that help identify unknown remains through dental records. Forensic odontology offers the widest variety of working conditions out of all of the other dental specialties. Forensic odontologists have been an essential aspect in helping identify skeletal remains. Sometimes all that is left behind for evidence is the teeth of the subject. With only this evidence to work with, the odontologist is called upon to process the remains. Since teeth are made of enamel, the hardest substance the body produces, and can survive severe conditions and still be viable for analysis, they become a significant piece of evidence used in the identification of unknown subjects. .Even though teeth are just another part of the skull, the amount of info in one tooth makes it a subject unto itself .

Forensic Science Forensic science is a scientific method of gathering and examining evidence. Crimes are solved with examinations such as gathering fingerprints, palm prints, footprints, tooth bite prints, blood, hair and fiber samples (assampolice, par. 1). Handwriting and typewriting samples are also studied, including all ink, paper, and the arrangement and appearance of printed matter. Studying of the firing, flight, and effects of ammunition techniques are used to identify weapons as well as voice identification techniques are used to identify criminals (par. 3) Italian, Fortunatus Fidelis, was the first person to practice modern forensic medicine in 1598.

In this paper, I will discuss the background of forensic pathology, the pros and cons of forensic pathology, and the similar and different in a forensic pathologist and a coroner. There are various disciplines in Forensic Science that can help with a crime, and solving that crime. One of these various disciplines is Forensic Pathology which the study of disease, and its causes, moreover; it involves the discovering the cause of the death where a death is sudden or suspicion to law enforcement. While a Forensic Pathologist can be helpful to law enforcement, and helpful in assisting in crime investigation, there are cons to being forensic pathologist. Furthermore, forensic pathologist can be confused with coroner even though they do the same

This paper will focus mainly on the history and the various techniques that forensic facial reconstruction has to offer. It will also go over some problems or an issue that is process has faced over the years. The Daubert Standard will discuss and how facial reconstruction was allowed as evidence thru this standard. I will go over all the periods of time that facial reconstruction was used. Computerized and Clay reconstruction will be discussed and how they have help investigators solved current and cold case crimes.

This paper explores the history of forensic odontology, the technologies of odontology, the requirements to pursue a career in forensic odontology, and two infamous cases that forensic odontology helped to reach a conviction of both Ted Bundy and Wayne Boden. Many of the sources used will cover multiple topics, but each topic will be addressed in its own paragraph and each topic will be gone into detail with explanation regarding why each piece of information was provided. Articles that cover the history of odontology will address both the beginnings of odontology and where odontology has come today. Articles covering the technologies of odontology will address how technologies have progressed and the origin of them. Articles containing details on how one may pursue a career in forensic odontology will cover educational requirements and recommendations from experts who have worked in the field for many of years. Articles pertaining to Ted Bundy and his respective case and Wayne Boden and his respective case will delve deep into how odontologists were able to match the two criminals to bite marks left on victims and ultimately convict them of their crimes.

Unlike the other forensic specialists I was travelling with, my job as a forensic odontologist was only part-time. My full time job had me nestled in the safe suburban streets of Sydney where I had my practice. The want to contribute more to people’s lives directed me into forensic odontology where I used my skills and knowledge as a dentist to investigate crimes (Explorehealthcareers.org, 2015). Thinking back to the time of the incident and comparing it to the present, there are so many more tools and resources available to us now, which always makes me think, how would identification have been different if we had all these resources available to us then? How would it have sped up the process?

In order to reconstruct the skull, forensic anthropologists use facial markers and measurements of soft tissue thickness. (Claes, Vandermeulan, Greef, & et. al., 2006, p. 21). The development of the individual’s face, aims to trigger recognition by family members or close friends, which may lead to positive identification via other evidence, such as dental records or DNA analysis. The method of forensic facial reconstruction can further be broken down into four different techniques: two-dimensional sketch reconstruction, three-dimensional clay reconstruction, three-dimensional computer-based reconstruction, and photographic superimposition (Wilkinson, Rynn, Peters, & et. al., 2006. p. 179). However, forensic facial reconstruction and the method’s techniques are scrutinized by researchers that oppose the accuracy and reliability of this forensic science tool of identification. There is much controversy being discussed over the actually name of forensic facial reconstruction. According to CN Stephan (2003, p.195) in his article in the Science & Justice Journal, there are researchers that believe that the name forensic facial reconstruction implies exactness, which is something that current methods of constructing faces from skulls cannot claim. This method is not an accurate or positive identification, it is merely an

Forensic anthropology can be defined as, “the branch of physical anthropology in which anthropological data, criteria, and techniques are used to determine the sex, age, genetic population, or parentage of skeletal or biological materials in questions of civil or criminal law,” (“Forensic Anthropology”). A

“Forensic Radiology: An Overview,” dated March/April 2010, Vol. 81/No.4, is an article written by April Reynolds. This article focuses on how radiology is used in forensics. It is said that forensics was first introduced into radiology in the 1890s when Roentgen discovered small bullets in a deceased rabbit to determine the cause of death. I chose this article because I’ve always been interested in forensics. My brother and I would watch unsolved mysteries all the time. Sometimes we would pretend to be investigators trying to figure out what happened. I also chose this article to learn more about working as a forensic radiologist. I think it would be an interesting career.

The pattern, size and form of the human bite can be forensically extremely important, particularly if the pattern of the dentition is sufficiently distinctive, such as a missing tooth or a wide gap between teeth (Bruce-Chwatt, 2010). Even though bite marks are only a small portion of most case load of forensic dentists but they represent the most challenging aspect of the

Focusing on some of the specific sciences involved with Criminalistics, Odontology is a topic that warrants mentioning. Forensic Odontology is the handling examination and evaluation of dental evidence, which is presented in interest of justice (Haqh, Poonam, M, & Doddamani, 2016). Despite all of the advancements made in modern technology, medical breakthroughs, crime still persists in virtually every aspects of our lives. These heinous activities that shatter the lives of victims, their friends and families and occur every day. Little can be done to repair such damage once inflicted. So the detention and subsequent prosecution of the perpetrator(s) who commit these acts is essential to maintaining society. Through the field of forensic odontology,

will also need 4 years of additional training in the forensic dentistry such as hands on and as an assistant to gain more knowledge. The study of dental anatomy, pathology and being able to interpret radiographs will come in handy when studying odontology. In most cases, forensic odontologist will perform forensic examinations as needed from the law enforcement or medical examiner. Many work long hours, weekends and holidays due to crimes happen at any time. According to research, forensic dentist earn a salary of up to $146,290.

Forensic Odontology, also called forensic dentistry, is the application of dental science involving the identification of unknown human remains by comparing their set of teeth to a bite mark left on a victim. Forensic odontologist use both physical and biological dental evidence to solve a number of issues, such as identifying human remains that result from crimes and disasters. Forensic Odontology was approved by the United States Court System in the mid 1800’s. The practice of forensic odontology has gained importance in a number of developed countries across the world. Dentistry has a lot to offer when it comes to detecting and solving a crime. Patient’s xrays, photogtaphs and detailed records became useful in the 80’s. Forensic Odontologist

Forensic dentistry, more commonly acknowledged as forensic odontology is defined as that branch of forensic medicine which in the interest of justice deals with the proper handling and examination of dental evidence and with the proper evaluation and presentation of the dental findings (Keiser-Neilson, 1970). The main aspects of forensic dentistry are identification; age, sex and race of an individual in various civil and criminal cases like mass disasters, domestic violence, abuse and neglect, bite marks analysis. Blood grouping and DNA typing can also be achieved by dental pulp examination (Ata-Ali, 2014).

Introduction: Forensic odontology necessarily involves the application of dentistry along with various other branches of sciences to resolve criminal cases with legal issues. Sex determination is a part of forensic odontology and an en essential priority when traditional identification of the deceased becomes impossible due to certain mishaps, including natural calamities, acts of war and terrorism or criminal cases of homicide and mutilation of bodies.