Scope of Dental Forensic

Human identification is the forensic odontologist's primary duty: Who is the victim? This involves the dentist as a team member working along with law enforcement agencies. This team is charged with the responsibility of investigating the evidence from cases involving violent crime, child abuse, elder abuse, missing persons, and mass disaster scenarios. In each cases, dental evidence produce compelling associations to aid victim and suspect identity and to establish facts that can affect the direction and ultimate outcome of investigative casework. Dental evidence can be used to identify both the people who were present during the commission of a crime or witnesses to an accident. The forensic dentist interacts with other forensic and medical disciplines like anthropology, pathology, human anatomy, and biological science. The best international source for forensic dental information and international forensic certification is available at Forensic Dentistry Online.

Forensic dentistry (aka forensic odontology in Europe) has a two-and-one-half century history in the United States. It is the science and practice of dentistry and its role in modern society. Dental injuries from accidents or assaults must be assessed and treated. Occasionally, the treating dentist or attending

forensic dental expert testifies in court proceedings for parties involved in civil litigation. Criminal cases use dentists to testify on dental evidence obtained from a crime scene or crime victims. Occasionally, a perpetrator of a crime leaves evidence at a scene. Bitten food, gum, or chewed objects may be recovered by law enforcement. Autopsy investigations may notice bite marks on the skin of a deceased victim. Dental experts also testify regarding the quality of dental care  (professional negligence) and in cases where dental fraud is an issue.