 Application of dental science to the identification of human remains and bite marks using physical and biological evidence.

 Work with a range of medicolegal issues  Identification of human remains is a central duty. ◦ Terrorist attacks ◦ natural disasters ◦ missing or unknown persons ◦ How would you categorize these types of cases?

 Participate in an autopsy ◦ - At local or state level by law enforcement ◦ - Coroner or Medical examiner

 Postmortem dental examination includes ◦ 1. charting dental and cranial features. ◦ 2. radiographic (X-RAY) documentation ◦ 3. application of findings to investigations by law enforcement.

 Information and evidence collected can be - used directly by law enforcement - added into a computer identification search program. Match known data to suspects - Requires a warrant Match to antemortem/postmortem records. - Records not always available.  Physical evidence – bite marks, images / photographs, measurements / dimensions

 Physical evidence – ◦ bite marks ◦ images / photographs ◦ measurements / dimensions

 Biological evidence ◦ Missing teeth, major dental work (partials, bridges, extractions), crowded teeth. ◦ Trace samples of DNA  Missing teeth  Gaps in the bite  Crooked teeth  Braces also leave distinct marks.  Chipped teeth leave jagged impressions of varying depth.

 Most prevalent in cases involving assault, rape, and homicide.  Bite marks can appear on both the perpetrator and the victim.  Often appear on/near arms, legs, breasts, and genital area.

 Teeth grow at a rate of 4 micrometers per day  Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body ◦ Withstand 2000 degrees F (1093 deg C) ◦ Teeth may shrink but may be preserved using a lacquer.

 32 Adult Teeth ◦ Four Major Types – Incisors, Canines, Bicuspids (pre-molars), and Molars  20 Deciduous (Baby Teeth)  What other type of evidence can be extracted from a tooth?  Where is this evidence found?

 Movement of tongue and jaw.  Location of bite on victim ◦ Clear impressions of both upper and lower teeth are uncommon.  If victim is moving/struggling or in a prone position (unable to move).  Movement/sagging of skin on deceased victims. ◦ Flesh is surgically removed from deceased and preserved in formalin (formaldehyde).  Length of Time since of bite ◦ Bruising can appear after 4 hours and disappear within 36 hours (can distort actual impressions).



 Not an exact science (Mistakes can be made).  Often used as a last resort.  Best when used in combination with DNA evidence in criminal investigations.

 The “C.S.I. Effect” occurs when jurors become overly impressed with forensic evidence. ◦ Difficult for them to be impartial during trial. ◦ Often due to the effects of mass-media programs.  The Case of Roy Brown  nreview/28santos.html?_r=0 nreview/28santos.html?_r=0

 forensics/anthropology/3.html forensics/anthropology/3.html

 Write a summary for each of the two articles you receive. Paragraph Format, Complete Sentences. ◦ Spelling and Punctuation Count!  Read the article first.  Highlight or underline key points of each article.  Write your summary.  Include – ◦ What the article is about – people, places, overview  Key elements and events  Use of forensics  Outcome of investigation – Impact on society

 WORK IN YOUR ASSIGNED CRIME TEAMS  You must be able to make these identifications and comparisons for the TEST on Thursday DEC 11.