1. Terminology Odontology –dentistry; the study of the teeth
Dentition – the complement of teeth of an individual
Bite Marks – the pattern left by teeth in human tissue of inanimate objects
Negligence – the failure to treat the patient at the highest level of care and competency
Prognosis – the predicted outcome of a patient’s condition
Maxilla – upper jaw
Mandible – lower jaw
Enamel – the outer covering of the tooth
Perimortem – at or around the time of death
Postmortem – after death
Antemortem – pre-death

2. Overview Introduction History Dental Training Expert Witness Testimony
Body Identification
Dentition Descriptions
Postmortem Examination and Records
Antemortem Record and Examination
Record Comparison and Reporting
Bite Mark Analysis
Bite Mark Recognition
Collection and Comparison of Bite Mark Evidence

3. I. Introduction 2. Three (3) main areas:
Forensic Odontology is the application of the arts and sciences of dentistry to the legal system.
2. Three (3) main areas:
Use of dentition in the identification of individuals by comparing teeth with predeath dental records and the use of teeth as a source for DNA
Comparison of dentition with pattern injuries in human tissue or inanimate substances
Analysis of negligence, standard of care issues, and injury in malpractice cases.

4. How is Odontology used to Solve Crimes?

5. Body Identification by Dental Means
Dentition Descriptions
Post mortem Examination and Record
Ante mortem record and examination
Record Comparison and reporting
Forensic Dentistry in mass disaster

6. Dentition Descriptions
Every Individual has 2 dentitions in their life:
Primary (20)
Permanent (32)
The teeth are divided between 2 jaws
Maxilla
Mandible
Primary Dentition – A-T
Permanent uses #1-#16 (upper), and #17-#32 lower

8. Structure of the tooth All teeth are divided into a crown, and a root.
Crown is covered with enamel.
In the center of the tooth is the pulp or nerve tissue----DNA source

9. Post mortem Examination and Record
Begins with access to dentition
May be done in place (in situ)
Dentition may need to be removed
If the jaw is removed, it is first soaked in hydrogen peroxide…
Statements are made whether teeth are erupted, restored, and with what filling material.
Also gum and periodontal disease
X-rayed if possible

10. Ante mortem record and examination
The accuracy and completeness of a persons dental records allow a dentist to make a positive identity with reasonable certainty.
Next of kin
Personal effects
Once a person has gone missing their dental records are entered into a national database

11. Record Comparison and reporting
If the postmortem and ante mortem data are complete, the comparison and identification process is straightforward.
Each tooth of the post mortem record is compared to the same tooth in the ante mortem record.
A statement is made…
No inconsistencies
Explainable inconsistencies
Unexplainable inconsistencies
Undeterminable
The most reliable method is X-rays

12. Forensic Dentistry in Mass Disaster
Forensic Dentists face several challenges in Mass Disaster cases:
Dismemberment and alterations of dentition
Victims can be from other countries and obtaining ante mortem records is difficult
The amount of stress in dealing with these situations is debilitating

13. Bite Mark Analysis Recognition In order to be used as evidence:
Most often seen in cases of abuse, rape, murder
In order to be used as evidence:
Recognizable bite pattern
Know what to do with the evidence
The first and second bicuspids are rarely involved in bite marks

14. Bite Mark Recognition…..
Bite marks in human tissue depends on:
The tissue bitten
Muscle or connective tissue has a more distinct outline compared to fatty tissue
The biting force
Defensive or aggressive bite marks tend to be less distinct and may show tearing
The resistance to biting by the victim
The more compliant the victim, the more defined the mark
Bite marks found on deceased victims are more useful than on living victims.
On a living victim is must be collected with in 8 hours

15. Using Bite Marks to Determine Time of Death
1: Ante mortem bite marks – injury inflicted while the heart is still beating will produce bruising around the patterns and will usually diffuse
2: Peri mortem Bite marks – (w/in 5 minutes) injury inflicted at the time the heart stops will produce well defined bruising
3: Postmortem bite marks: the heart is not beating and the blood has coagulated produces well define indents and no bruising
10 days later

16. Collection Of Evidence
Bite marks can only be used as evidence if all data is carefully collected.
Photographed with ruler
Swabbed for saliva and DNA
Impressions are made
Cast of assailants (suspect) teeth
Metric analysis

17. Comparison
The last step in bite mark analysis is the comparison of the bite mark with the suspects dentition.
Saliva is compared (amylase, ABO blood type, DNA)
Bite planes
Photographs
Metric Analysis

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