Forensic dental identification 183
be labeled as “explainable discrepancies” or “logical progressions”
and are not necessarily reasons to exclude a record in the compari-
son process if other overwhelming information indicates that the
two records are records of the same individual. When examining the
antemortem radiographs, care must be taken to ensure that the x-rays
are oriented correctly. If the antemortem x-rays are duplicates and
not labeled as L or R and the film dimple location is indeterminable,
then the forensic dentist must request additional information from
the submitting dentist, most often the original films. Original films
should always be acquired and examined since duplicate films are
very often incorrectly oriented (see Chapter 10).
- One unexplainable discrepancy is more important than many con-
sistencies. Dental evidence is useful for both identification and
exclusion. Even if five restorations are consistent among the ante-
mortem and postmortem records, significant doubt must be raised
if one unexplained exclusionary item is noted. For example, if the
antemortem records show a full crown on a certain tooth and the
postmortem record shows an occlusal amalgam on the same tooth,
the comparison results in exclusion. One unexplainable discrepancy
leads to exclusion.
- You may only get one chance to get accurate postmortem dental infor-
mation. Attention to detail in the postmortem examination is man-
datory. Once a body is released, it may be buried or cremated before
discovery that a record is inadequate or an image is substandard.
Exhumation to recover information that should have been obtained
is embarrassing. Attempting to recover the same information from
cremains may be impossible.
9.9 Summary
Postmortem dental examinations are sometimes unpleasant but always nec-
essary exercises. The accurate reconstruction of the antemortem record is an
equally important phase of the identification process. With careful attention
to detail, dental identifications can be completed in a relatively short time
period and at a reasonable cost when compared to other means of identifica-
tion. In some instances, the forensic dentist may find it useful to consider the
new technologies available to assist in the comparison process. With advances
in this and other forensic identification sciences, new methods will become
more commonplace. Through the cooperative efforts of medical examiners,
coroners, law enforcement officials, and forensic odontologists, dental com-
parisons can be efficiently and accurately completed to identify or exclude.
