Question 1 (Part 3): Identification of Murder Victims

Describe how is Forensic Dentistry could be useful in the identification of murder victims?

The theory underlying forensic odontology is that no two mouths are alike; an individual’s dentition is believed to be unique.

Death Body Identification Techniques:

Comparison of antemortem and postmortem records,
Antemortem (before death – depends on known characteristics of a missing individual) 
Postmortem (after death – depends on recovered characteristics from an unknown body)

        at the points of comparison (specific features),

(a) the number, class, and type of teeth;

(b) tooth rotation, spacing, and malposition;

(c) anomalies and general morphology;

(d) restorations and prostheses or appliance);

            (e) caries and other pathology;

            (f) endodontic treatment;

            (g) implants and surgical repairs;

            (h) bony trabecular patterns

            (i)occlusion, erosion, and attrition.

through the dental radiographs, photographs, impressions and casts.

1.Dental radiographs – accurate dental identification requires point-by-point comparison of set of intraoral radiographs, which can be made as many as 18 to 21 images, in which all points of comparison must match exactly or in which differences must be explained.

Comparison of antemortem and postmortem radiographs looking for similarities of restorations and general morphology.

A. Antemortem radiographs of the same victim demonstrate multiple dental restorations, unique root and sinus morphology, pulp chamber shape, interdental bone height, and trabecular patterns.

B. Postmortem radiographs show consistency in some restorations when compared to the antemortem radiographs, but note that several teeth have had restorations placed after the antemortem radiographs were obtained.

2.Photographs

                

                Comparison of antemortem and postmortem photographs looking for similarities in general morphology.

A. Antemortem dental photograph showing gingival clefting.

B. Postmortem photograph showing similar clefting found in the victim at autopsy. Similar dental arch form is observed as is the overall morphology of the dental coronal structure.

                3.Radiographs and Photographs

Comparison of antemortem radiographs with postmortem findings (photographs).

A. These radiographs show antemortem (top) and postmortem (bottom) radiographs of a homicide victim with orthodontic appliances in place, which are identical to actual postmortem findings (seen in B and C) and served to confirm the identity. Note also the restoration of tooth No. 10, a peg lateral that matches as well.

B. This postmortem photograph shows the orthodontic retainer in the mandibular arch as evident in the antemortem radiographs.

C. This postmortem photograph shows the orthodontic retainer in the maxillary arch as evident in the antemortem radiographs.





reference:Scheid, R.C, Weiss Gabriela. Woelfel’s Dental Anatomy: It’s Relevance to Dentistry. 8th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins