Forensic dental identification 167
possible fragments are associated and returned to families for proper burial.
See Chapter 16 for additional information concerning the legal aspects of
forensic dental identification.
9.4 Steps in Dental Identification
9.4.1 Postmortem Examination
The durability of the human dentition, including the ability of teeth to survive
decomposition and withstand drastic temperature changes, makes dental
evidence comparison one of the most dependable and reliable methods of
identification. The mechanism of this process involves comparing features
of an unknown specimen to those of a known individual. The durability and
longevity of human teeth make this process possible.
An accurate and detailed evaluation of the postmortem specimen will
afford the best possibility of successfully comparing that information to
antemortem information. Attention to detail at the postmortem exami-
nation precludes errors that can lead to nonidentification and the need to
repeat steps to get an accurate postmortem record. “Document, document,
document” should be the mantra of examiners of forensic materials. By
following a step-wise examination checklist that includes photography, dental
radiography , and dental charting, a forensic odontologist or forensic dental
team can create consistently accurate postmortem dental records.
Photography of a specimen can provide the ability to view specific features
without having to revisit the morgue. These photographs should be taken to
allow orientation as well as closeup photographs of the dental structures. This
photo documentation can prove extremely valuable in cases where the han-
dling of the specimen could lead to further degradation of fragile remains. This
is often the case with dental structures that have become desiccated or carbon-
ized from extreme heat. Using macro or closeup photographs of the dentition
can also provide additional information that may lead to identification and is
discussed in more detail in the comparison section of this chapter.
The goal of the postmortem dental examination is to locate, identify, and
document anatomical structures, dental restorations, and dental appliances
that will aid the comparison process. The more information documented in
this examination, the greater the likelihood of successful comparison to an
antemortem record. Depending on the condition of the remains, this task
can be simple or complex. In a fully intact body with no injuries to the facial
structures, the ability to locate specific dental structures will be simple in
comparison to cases in which individuals have been subjected to explosions,
rapid deceleration injuries, extreme heat, or crushing forces.