16 3

Forensic

Dental

Identification

miChael p. taBor
BruCe a. sChrader

Contents
9.1 Introduction 163
9.1.1 Fingerprints 164
9.1.2 Personal Items 1 65
9.1.3 Tattoos and Scars 1 65
9.1.4 DNA and DNA Evidence 1 65
9.2 History of Dental Identification 1 66
9.3 Philosophy and Legal Basis for Dental Identification 1 66
9.4 Steps in Dental Identification 1 67
9.4.1 Postmortem Examination 1 67
9.4.2 Antemortem Examination 1 68
9.4.3 Comparison 170
9.5 Statistical and Mathematical Models 1 72
9.6 ABFO Guidelines and Standards 1 77
9.7 Technological and Scientific Advances 1 78
9.8 Ten Tips and Cautions for Dental Identification 181
9.9 Summary 183
References 184

9.1 Introduction

Identification of an individual can be confirmed by several different methods.

These include visual identification, personal effects, tattoos, scars, anatomical

structures, medical devices, and implants, as well as fingerprint, DNA, and

dental comparisons. Molina subdivides the methods of identification as visual,

circumstantial, external characteristics, internal characteristics, radiographs,

and anthropology, and notes that DNA, fingerprint, and dental comparisons

are considered the scientific methods of identification (see Chapter 5).

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