31Journal Indo-Pacific Academy of Forensic Odontology Vol 2 (1) Jan.-June 2011

Role of forensic odontologist in Disaster victim identification

Geeta Sharma, Randhir Kumar

Abstract: Disasters, whether natural, technological or man-made, are unfortunately a fact of life. The bodies ofvictims of violent crimes, fires, motor vehicle accident, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions are difficult to identify. Theapprehension and subsequent prosecution of the perpetrator is essential to maintain law and order. Through thespeciality of forensic odontology, dentistry plays a small but significant role in this process. The present article willreview the role of dentist in disaster victim identification.

INTRODUCTION-Dental identification of humans occur for a number ofdifferent reasons and in a number of different situation.The body of victims of violent crimes, fires, motor vehicleaccidents and work place accidents can be distinguishedto such an extent that identification by family memberis neither reliable nor desirable. The person who havebeen deceased for some time prior to discovery and thosefound in water also present unpleasant and difficultvisual identifications. Dental identifications havealways played a key role in natural and manmadedisaster situations and in particular the mass casualtiesnormally associated with aviation disasters. Because ofthe lack of a comprehensive fingerprint database, dentalidentification continues to be crucial in mass disaster.

POSTMORTEM DENTAL PROFILINGUnlike fingerprints there is no minimum number ofconcordant features that are required for a positiveidentification. A single tooth can be used for identificationif it contains sufficient unique features. Equally, a full-mouth series of radiographs may not reveal sufficient

Dr. Geeta Sharma, Asst. Professor , Dept. of Oral Pathology,Santosh dental college, Gzb., M.D.S. (Oral Pathology & ForensicOdontology) M.D.S.(Periodontics), DPH, Asst. Professor, Dept.Of Periodontology, S.D.C.H. Darbhanga

Address for Correspondence:Dr. Geeta Sharma, Asst. Professor , Dept. of OralPathology, Santosh dental college, Gzb., M.D.S. (OralPathology & Forensic Odontology)

detail to render a positive conclusion. The discretion ofidentification lies with the odontologist who must beprepared to justify the conclusions in court, surely theultimate in peer-review.

The forensic dentist will often work with a forensicanthropologists to help in identification of an individualor the development of a profile from remains. Thedetermination of sex and ancestry can be assessed fromskull shape and form. Generally, from skull appearance,forensic dentists can determine race within the threemajor groups: Caucasoid, Mongoloid and Negroid.Additional characteristics, such as cusps of Carabelli,shovel-shaped incisors and multi-cusped premolars, canalso assist in determination of ancestry.

Sex:Sex determination is usually based on cranialappearance, as no sex differences are apparent in themorphology of teeth. Microscopic examination of teethcan confirm sex by the presence or absence of Y-chromatin and DNA analysis can also reveal sex.

Age:

In developing a profile dental structures can provideuseful indictors to the individual's chronological age.The age of children can be determined by the analysis oftooth development and subsequent comparison withdevelopmental charts. Conclusions are usually accurateto approximately ±1.5 years. While eruption dates canbe used in determining sub-adult ages, these are highlyvariable and the actual developmental stages of the teethare more accurate.

32Journal Indo-Pacific Academy of Forensic Odontology Vol 1 (2) July-Dec. 2010

Other features can be useful in individualising aprofile. The presence of erosion can suggest alcohol orsubstance abuse, an eating disorder or even hiatushernia while stains can indicate smoking. Unusual wearpatterns may result from pipe stems, cigarette holders,hairpins, carpet tacks or previous orthodontictreatment. The quality, quantity and presence or absenceof dental treatment may give an indication of socio-economic status or likely country of residence.

Because of the resistant nature of dental tissues toenvironmental assaults, such as incineration,immersion, trauma, mutilation and decomposition,teeth represent an excellent source of DNA material.When conventional dental identification methods fail,this biological material can provide the necessary linkto prove identity.

CONCLUSION :Forensic dentistry play a major role in the identificationof those individuals who cannot be identified visuallyby other means. The identification of large number ofcasualties in mass disasters are complex and fraughtwith hazards, both physically and emotionally. Theidentification process is fundamentally the same as thatin a routine comparative dental identification, but theinherent problem are magnified. Problems of bodyfragmentation, mutilation, commingling andincineration, poor working conditions and physiologicalstresses. all confounds the identification process. Thepresent article help us in identifying individual in mass

disaster who cannot be identified visually byother means.

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