The importance of dental identification is growing each year, and the role of forensic dentistry is becoming increasingly important. This field of study is used to identify people in mass disasters, crime investigations, ethnic studies, and to identify decomposed and disfigured bodies. The various methods used in forensic dentistry include dental fingerprints, x-rays, photographic studies, rugoscopy, cheiloscopy, and molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR).As an expert in the field of forensic dentistry, I understand the importance of this field and the need for reliable research methods to aid in identification processes. In this article, I will provide an overview of the various experimental studies used in forensic dentistry and analyze their feasibility and limitations in daily practice.
Forensic dentistry has traditionally been dedicated to the analysis of bite marks, which can provide identifiable information about an aggressor who may have left an imprint on the previous dentition that could match dental records. Other methods used in forensic dentistry include rugoscopy (study of palatine wrinkle patterns), cheiloscopy (study of lip prints), dental fingerprints, x-rays, photographic studies and molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the analysis of pulp DNA. Despite having advanced significantly through various techniques in the identification of accident victims and in investigative criminology, forensic dentistry is still subject to certain limitations. Forensic dentists usually work as regular dentists most of the time, performing forensic exams as needed at the request of local law enforcement or the medical examiner. It is the responsibility of the forensic dentist to analyze and describe the unidentified remains, while relying on practicing dentists to provide accurate and complete dental records as proof of suspected identification or to rule out tentative coincidences. In order to make forensic dentistry a more reliable procedure, strategies are needed to develop international forensic dentistry capacity and resources for the management of corpses after a massive disaster, along with universal guidelines and codes.
This will ensure that forensic dentists have access to all necessary resources and information needed to accurately identify victims. Forensic dentistry requires attention to detail and the ability to work patiently to complete a lengthy process step by step without haste. It is a complex field that requires specialized knowledge and skills. As an expert in this field, I understand that it is essential for forensic dentists to stay up-to-date with new developments in order to ensure accuracy and reliability when identifying victims.
