FORENSIC - 2 whether living or dead (Tanuj and Krishan,

PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION TECHNIQUES 2013).

It refers to the branches of science like
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Pathology, Genetics, Biology, Anthropology,
This course covers the different methods of Physics, Odontology unite together to derive
personal identification, as an aid to crime objective source of identification.
detection, investigation, information, and as In this field of study it highlight the
evidence for prosecution of an offense/felony. establishment of identity which refers to the
It includes the processes of recording, set of physical characteristics, functional or
processing, preservation, and court psychic, normal or pathological, that defines
presentation. an individual.
In connection with, the science of
What is Forensic Science? Criminalistics has vital role in studying the
Forensic science, also known identity of a person. Therefore, it requires
as Criminalistics,[1] is the application the application of the principles of various
of science principles and methods to support sciences in solving problems in connection
legal decision-making in matters with the Administration of justice. It is in this
of criminal and civil law. event that Dr. Paul L. Kirk was recognized as
the father of Criminalistics in the US.
Forensic science is the use of natural and Dr. Paul Leland Kirk was a biochemist,
physical sciences to investigate and analyze criminalist and participant in the Manhattan
matters of criminal and civil law. Project who was specialized in microscopy. He
also investigated the bedroom in which Sam
Forensic–relating to or denoting to the Sheppard supposedly murdered his wife and
application of scientific methods and provided the key blood spatter evidence that
techniques to the investigation of crime: led to his acquittal in a retrial over 12 years
after the murder. The highest honor one can
•Natural science is one of the branches of receive in the criminalistics... Wikipedia
science concerned with the description,
understanding and prediction Definitions of various Sciences:
of natural phenomena, based on empirical Genetics – a branch of Biology that deals with
evidence from observation and experimentati the study of genes, genetic variation, and
on. heredity in organisms
Biology – Scientific study of living things,
•Natural science can be divided into two especially their structure, function, growth,
main branches: life science and physical evolution, and distribution
science. Life science is alternatively known Anthropology – the study of human beings
as biology, and physical science is subdivided and their ancestors through time and space
into branches: physics, chemistry, earth and in relation to physical character,
science, and astronomy. environmental and social relations and
culture.
Overview of Personal Identification Odontology – science dealing with teeth,
Personal Identification is the process of structure and development and their
establishing the identity of an individual diseases.
Forensic Odontology – a branch of Forensic The need for personal identification
Medicine dealing with teeth and marks left by arises in natural mass disaster like tsunami,
teeth (as in identifying criminal suspects or landslides, floods, etc., and in man made
the remains of a dead person.) disaster such as terrorist attacks, bomb
blasts, mass murders, and in cases when the
Big Fours’ of personal identification (features body is highly decomposed or dismembered
of tentative identification) are determination to deliberately conceal the identity of the
of: individual. (Tanuj Kanchan, Kewal Kreshan,
1. Age 2013)
2. Sex
3. Stature (height) Personal Identification is very essential in
4. Ethnicity (race/nationality) living particularly in cases of amnesia,
The principal approach towards unconscious, imposters, issue of identity
identification process is buy estimating and cards passports, driving license, legal
detecting characters of the remains that may documents etc. at present the act of
narrow down the pool of matches. establishing the accurate identification of an
individual is in dire need because of the
Objective : To link an unknown body to a prevalent problems on identify theft.
known identity. On the other hand, it is applicable also in
the identification of an unknown deceased
Approaches: which is important for both legal as well as
1. Two sets of evidence have possible origin on humanitarian grounds. In this way, it will
from the same individual. give a closure and declaration by surviving
2. Two sets of evidence have no possible relations and friends and further it to
origin from the same individual. ascertain whether the remains belongs to
3. Insufficient information to prove origin. human or not. It also answers medico-legal
issues and gives a lead whether the skeletal
Stages of Identification: remains are human or not.
1. Technique that lead to positive
identification. In the field of law enforcement proper
There is positive identification identification of the offender and the victims
when the match is sufficient to conclude the is a basic rule to consider in the investigation
common origin of the same individual. of crimes this personal identification is very
2. Identification by limiting probable important in the administration of justice. In
matches to the individual. this aspect, they are identified through trace
evidence such as bloodstains, hair, foot/shoe
Importance of Personal Identification in print. Fingerprint, bite marks, etc. The
Criminal Investigation: identification of perpetrators contribute to
Criminal Investigation: Is the collection of the prosecution of cases.
facts in order to accomplish the three-fold-
aims – to identify the guilty party; to locate IDENTIFICATION OF PERSONS
the guilty party; and to provide evidence of Importance of Personal Identification
his (suspect) guilt (Criminal Investigation 1. In the prosecution of criminal offense, the
Manual, 2011). identity of the offender and that of the victim
must be established, otherwise it will be a next-of-kin, other relatives and friends as to
ground for the dismissal of the charge or the whereabouts of a missing person or
acquittal of the accused. victim of calamity or criminal act.
2. The identification of a person missing or 4. Identification may be needed in some
presumed dead will facilitate settlement of transactions, like encashment of check,
the estate, retirement, insurance and other entering a premises, delivery of parcels, or
social benefits. It bests on the heirs the right registered mails in post office, sale of
over the properties of the identified person. property, release of dead bodies to relatives,
If identity cannot be established then the law parties to a contract.
on presumption of death (Art. 390 Civil Code)
must be applied which requires the lapsed of Rules in Personal Identification
seven years period before a person can be 1. The greater the number of points of
presumed dead. In special instances, the similarities and dissimilarities of two persons
seven years period is reduced to four years compared, the greater is the probability for
(Art. 391 Civil Code). the conclusion to be correct. This is known as
the Law of Multiplicity of Evidence in
Presumption of Death Identification.
Art. 390 Civil Code. After an absence o seven
(7) years, it being unknown whether or not 2. The value of the different points of
absentee still lives, he shall be presumed dead identification varies in the formulation of
for all purposes, except for those of conclusion.
succession. In a fresh cadaver, if the fingerprints on
The absentee shall not be presumed file are the same as those recovered from
dead for the purpose of succession till after an the crime scene, they will positively establish
absence of ten (10) years. If he disappeared the identity of the person while bodily
after the age of SEVENTY-FIVE ( 75) YEARS, marks, like moles, scars, complexion, shape of
an absence of 5 years shall be sufficient in nose, etc. are merely corroborative.
order that his succession maybe opened.
Art. 391 (Civil Code). The following shall be Visual recognition by relative or friends may
presumed dead for all purposes, including be of lesser value as compared with
the division of the estate among the heirs: fingerprints or dental comparison.
(a) A person on board a vessel lost
during sea voyage or an aeroplane which is 3. The longer the interval between the
missing who has not been heard of for four death and the examination of the remains for
years since the loss of a vessel or aeroplane ; purposes of identification, the greater is the
(b) A person in the armed Forces who need for experts in establishing identity. The
had taken part in war, and had been missing process of taking fingerprints and its
for four (4) years. examination under a magnifying lens requires
(c) A person who has been in danger of the services of an expert. When putrefaction
death under other circumstances and his has set in, the external bodily marks useful in
existence has not been known for four (4) identification might be destroyed so that is
years. necessary to resort to an anatomical or
structural examination of the body which
3. Identification resolves the anxiety of the requires knowledge of medicine and
dentistry. himself from going to the place he used to
visit for fear that he may be apprehended.
4. In as much as the object to be 4. Grade of Profession – A medical student of
identified is highly perishable, it is necessary the upper clinical year may be recognized by
for the ream to act in the shortest possible the stethoscope, a graduate student or
time especially in case of mass disaster. student nurse by her cap, a mechanic by his
5. There is no rigid rule to be observed in tools, a clergyman by his robe, etc. A change
the procedure of identification of persons. of grade, trade, vocation or profession may be
resorted to as a means of concealing identity.
The bases of human identification maybe 5. Body Ornamentation – Earrings, necklaces,
classified as: rings, pins, etc. usually worn by persons
1. Those which laymen used to prove maybe points to identify a person from the
identity - No special training or skill are rest.
required of the identifier and no instrument
or procedure is demanded. B. Characteristics that may not easily be
2. Those which are based on scientific changed
knowledge - Identification is made by 1. Mental Memory – A recollection of time,
trained men, well-seasoned by experience place and events may be a clue in
and observation, and primarily based on identification. Remembering names faces,
comparison or exclusion. and subjects of common interest maybe
initiated during interview to see how
METHODS OF PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION knowledgeable a person is.
1. ORDINARY IDENTIFICATION 2. Speech – A person may stammer, shutter or
A. Characteristics which may easily be lisp. However, if the manner of talking is due
changed: to some physical defects, like harelip and cleft
1. Growth of hair, beard and mustache – This palate, which have been corrected by
may easily be shaved or grown within a short surgery, there maybe a change in his manner
time. Arrangement may be changes, artificial of speech.
hair may be worn or ornamentation may be
placed to change it natural condition. The manner of talking and the quality of the
2. Clothing – A person may have special voice are dependent on the vocal cavities
preference for certain form, texture or style. (throat, mouth, nose and sinuses) and his
Certain groups of people are required to have manner of manipulating the lips, teeth,
specific cut, color, or design, as in uniforms, tongue, soft plate and jaw muscles.
worn by students, employees of commercial
or industrial establishments, or groups of The chances of two or more persons
professionals. having the same size of vocal cavities and the
3. Frequent place of Visit – A person may same manner of articulation are remote and
have a special desire or habit to be in a place unlikely. Whispering, muffling and nose-
if ever he has the opportunity to do so. Sari- holding do not change the speech
sari stores, barber shops, coffee shops, beer characteristics. The speech may be
gardens and recreation halls are common recorded and preserved in a good tape
venues of visit if certain class of people. A recorder. A known standard may also be
wanted criminal may suddenly prevent recorded for purposes of comparison.
Identification can be achieved through the 7. Changes in the eyes – A person identified
sound spectrographic analysis. because he is near-sighted, far sighted, color
blind, astigmatic, presbyopic, or cross-marks
3. Gait – A person, on account of disease or of the spectacles or cataract. Color of the iris,
some inborn traits, may sow a characteristics shape disease are useful bases of
manner of walking. identification.
4. Mannerism – Stereotype movement or 8. Facies (Face) – There are different kinds of
habit peculiar to an individual. facial expressions brought about by disease or
Examples: racial influence.
a. Way of sitting The face maybe round, oval, triangular or
b. Movement of the hand slightly square. Distinct identifying marks
c. Movement of the body maybe present on the face, such as peculiarly
d. Movement of the facial muscle attractive scars, moles, hair, nose and
e. Expression of the mouth while condition of the skin which as identifier may
articulating especially notice.
f. Manner of leaning 9. Left or right handedness – the preferential
5. Hands and feet – Size, shape and use of nose hand with skill to the other in
abnormalities of the hands and feet maybe voluntary motor acts. Ambidextrous people
the bases of identification. Some persons can use their right and left hand with equal
have supernumerary fingers or toes far apart skill. The best way to determine whether a
with bony prominence. Some fingers or toes person is left or right handed or
are with split nails. ambidextrous is to observe him during his
unguarded moments.
Foot or hand marks found in the 10. Degree of nutrition - The determination
investigation of the crime scene may be: must be in relation to the height and age. A
a. Foot or hand impression – This person maybe thin, normal or stout. This
develops when the foot or hand is pressed on point of identification easily changes by
moldable materials like mud, clay, cement refraining from intake of fatty foods. Some
mixture, or any semi-solid mass. The persons are inherently skinny in
impression can be preserved by making a spite of heavy intake of nutritive food.
cash of it with a Plaster of Paris. Identity theft – the fraudulent
b. Footprint or handprint – This is a acquisition and use of a person’s private
footmark or hand mark on a hard base identifying information, usually for financial
contaminated or smeared with foreign gain.
matters like dust, flour, blood, etc.
6. Complexion – Complexion can be
determined when the whole body is exposed
preferably to ordinary sunlight. Dark
complexion maybe found fair with the use of
bleaching chemicals , while fair complexion
may temporarily be made dark with the use
of ointment with a dark pigment. Exposed
part of the body usually appear darker than
those covered with nothing.
 exact, and his name was William West. Upon
FORENSIC 2 investigation, there were indeed two men.
Lecture 2 They looked exactly alike, but were already
not related. Their names were Will and
THE PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION William West respectively. Their Bertillon
TECHNIQUES AND ITS APPLIED PROCEDURES measurements were close to identify them
I. Criminal Anthropometry as the same person. However, a fingerprint
The Anthropometry (Bertillon comparison quickly identified them as two
System) as an identification technique was different people. The West men, were later
developed in late 19th Century which is discovered they were identical twins
known as Bertillon’s measurement of brothers.
criminal man. It is the first scientific method II. Criminal Anthropology
of identification done by measuring various Anthropological Criminology (Criminal
bony structure of the human body devised Anthropology) is a combination of the study
by Alphonse Bertillon. of the human species and the study of
criminals. It is a field of offender profiling,
Alphonse Bertillon – is the father of scientific based on perceived links between the nature
identification. of a crime and the personality or physical
Around 1870 a French Anthropologist appearance of the offender.
devised a system to measure and record the
dimensions of certain bony parts of the body. Criminal Anthropology is considered a
These measurements were reduced to a positivist approach to Criminology by Cesare
formula which, theoretically, would apply Lombroso, an Italian criminologist and
only to one person and would not change psychiatrist. It emphasized on “born
during his/her adult life. This Bertillon criminal” or criminal type saying that
System named after his inventor, Alphonse criminals had certain physical characteristics
Bertillon, was generally accepted for thirty (e.g. sloping forehead, large ears)that
(30) years. distinguished them from non-criminal. It is
In 1888, Bertillon was made Chief of the the study of the being who, in consequence
newly created Department of Identity in Paris, of physical conformation , hereditary taint, or
where he used Anthropometry as the main surroundings of vice, poverty and ill example,
means of identification. He later introduced yields to temptation and begins a career of
fingerprints, but related them to a secondary crime. It is to study the anatomy,the
role in the category of special marks. physiology, the hygiene of the criminal, his
Bertillon was involved in the first recorded productivity, his capability of amendment, to
case of a conviction using fingerprints, in Paris examine into his condition, and to recognize
in 1902, but still maintained that his rights.
anthropometry as the superior system. The mid 1800s saw the rise of Darwinism
In 1903, Bertillon System never which suggested that humans evolved from
recovered, when a man named Will West was animals through a process of evolution.
sentenced to the U.S. Penitentiary at Darwinism inspired the field of
Leavenworth, Kansas. There was already a Anthropological Criminology which suggests
prisoner at the penitentiary at the time that criminals are less evolved than others
whose Bertillon measurement were nearly and can’t control their urge to commit crimes.
This idea, called atavism, says criminals come being who has regressed in evolution, who is
from a group of humans who regressed in immoral and driven by instincts. He is lazy,
evolutionary advancement. insensitive to pain, vain, has cross-eyes, a
Criminal Anthropology is a branch of preference for tattoo, a receding forehead, a
Sociology, and its purpose is to investigate small brain, uses “crooked language” and so
crime scientifically; to study its origin and on.
causes and to determine if possible what
proportion of responsibility belongs to society Lombroso developed the theory that there
and what to the criminal. The remedies are to were physical traits that linked criminals to
be examined as well as the causes and also inferior animals on the evolutionary chain.
the effect of punishment as a means of He considered most of their traits a
reformation and prevention. “throwback” to an earlier evolutionary time,
Three parts of Criminal Anthropology some of these traits were:
1. General – Summary and classification of all
the facts known and is used as the basis for 1. taller or shorter than average
further work. 2. longer arms
2. Special – investigation of individual 3. asymmetry of the face
criminals historically, physically, psychically, 4. bumps or protrusions around the
and socially, with a view to their analysis and heads
the determination of the causes of crime. 5. tattoos on body
3. Practical – embraces a consideration of 6. sloping forehead
methods and institutions for the repression
and prevention of crime. Brief about Criminal Anthropology (Kellor,
The origin of Criminal Anthropology had 1899)
been noted in 1885 when the First 1. Criminal Anthropology renounces entirely
International Congress of Criminology was the law of retaliation as the end principle, or
held in Rome. Cesare Lombroso’s basis of judicial punishment.
anthropological theory of crime assumes that 2. The purpose of punishment is the
crime is genetic in nature. Lombroso in necessity of protecting society against the
particular assumes that this is an atavistic consequences of crime, either by moral,
type of criminal (Wickert 2020). reclamation of the criminal or by the removal
Lombroso published the results of his from society. Punishment is not for the
investigations in his main work “L ‘Uomo purpose of satisfying vengeance.
Delinquente” “The Criminal Man), first 3. Society should have legal rights and
published in 1876. Numerous illustrations privileges equal to those of the criminal and
illustrates his research work. Certain body systems and institutions should be modified
characteristics and skull shapes are to conform to this view. An absolute equality
associated with certain types of criminal and for each should be maintained.
crimes. The influence of evolutionary biology 4. In Criminal Anthropology, it is not
on Lombroso’s work is evident in the sufficient to study the fact of crime. The
conviction that the criminal represents a criminal must also be considered. It has
distinct anthropological type, the “homo become necessary to define the causes of
delinquents”. This type is atavistic, that is a which produce crime, to study the sphere of
former and more primitive type of human action of the criminals as well as to give
attention to measures for the safety of society human (and other animal) evolution and
against his acts. development.
5. In crime the results of two factors are seen What is Anthropology?
reciprocally reacting. *It is the study of humans and the
1. The individual peculiarities in the human condition. It is simply the science of
nature of criminal or his psychological man and human beings.
organization. *The technique of expressing
2. Peculiarities of external influences such quantitatively the different forms of the
as climate, country, social surroundings, etc. human body.
6. Relying upon exact methods, criminal *The scientific study of the physical,
anthropology reveals the criminal as social and cultural development and behavior
possessing an organization more or less of human being since their appearance on
unfortunate, vicious, impoverished, ill earth.
balanced, defective, and not adapted to
struggle with surrounding conditions and Aim of the Anthropologist: It aids in the
consequently incapable of maintaining the identification of human remains and help to
struggle in legally established ways. determine what happened to the remains.
7. The causes of crime are three:
a. Immediate – which arise from the Five (5) Sub-Disciplines of Anthropology
character of the individual; 1. Archaeological Anthropology: The
b. Remote – which are found in his investigation of human past by excavating and
unfavorable surroundings under the influence analyzing human remains.
of which organic peculiarities are developed 2. Physical Anthropology. The physical
into more or less criminal agents; variation between different human
c. Predisposing – Which pushed this ill populations and the biological evolution of
proportioned and viciously developed the human species.
organization toward crime. 3. Linguistic Anthropology: The complex
8. Biological and Anthropological studies are relations between language and other aspects
indispensable for placing penal legislation of human behavior and thought.
upon solid foundations. 4. Applied Anthropology: The practical uses
Anthropological knowledge, data,
FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY perspective, theory and methods to identify,
Origin of the word Anthropology assess and solve social problems.
1. It is first coined by Aristotle, the Greek 5. Cultural Anthropology: The socio-cultural
Philosopher. study of family, marriage, kinship, religion,
2. Etymologically, anthropology is derived economic and social similarities and
from two Greek works “anthros” means differences, relations, patterns of life.
“human” and “logo” means study.
3. Anthropology is understood as Greek What is Forensic Anthropology?
Anthropos, meaning man, logy meaning to Forensic Anthropology – is the application of
speak of, or to study of. the science of physical or biological
Charles Darwin. He published his anthropology to the legal process.
groundbreaking on the origin of Species and * Application of knowledge and
discussed how natural selection shaped methodology of anthropology, especially
biological anthropology and archaeology to Forensic Anthropology
medico-legal issues.
* It is the application of Anthropology to
criminal investigation.
It involves diverse application of
anthropological knowledge to medico-legal
problems. 2. Dorsey (1868-1931) – He contributed in the
It focused on the recovery and analysis examination of a residue on the case of
of human remains. Adolph Luetgert, a sausage producer who
was accused of killing his wife and disposing
What is the role of an Anthropologist? off the corpse by placing it in a solution of
Anthropologist assist in the identifications potash in one of the factory vats.
primarily by constructing a biological profile. Investigation of the residue revealed small
This includes estimating age, sex, stature, and fragments that were brought to the attention
ancestry, as well as identifying specific of Dorsey. He testified that the small
characteristics, like diseases or injuries. In fragments recovered from materials
addition to helping identify human remains, associated with the sausage vat originated
the anthropologist analyzes injures that from a human female.
happened around the time of a person’s 3. Dwight (1843-1911) – Recognized as the
death, which can help determine how a father of American Forensic Anthropology
person died. who pioneered an effort to assemble
Their work is not only confined on skeletons following anatomical dissection and
search and recovery, but also determination if use them for research to develop
recovered evidence is bone or teeth, species methodology.
representation, estimation of time since 4. Europeans – They are primarily on the
death, sex, ancestry, age at death, living estimation of living stature.
stature, taphonomic history and recognition 5. Facial Approximation is a method
of any other features that may assist employed when remains are thought to be of
identification and detection of foul play. recent origin but have not been identified
using other methodology. It is used in an
Pioneers in Forensic Anthropology attempt to reach out to the public in search of
1. Jeffries Wyman (1814-1874). A key early investigative leads.
pioneer of forensic anthropology testimony 6. Photographic Superimposition – is a
who became the first curator of the Peabody method which involves the comparison of a
Museum of American Archaeology and recovered skull with ante mortem
Ethnology in 1866. He testified in the case of photographs of a missing person perhaps
Parkman vs. Webster regarding the killing of represented by the recovered remains. It is
Parkman wherein the body was found at the primarily useful for exclusion but has declined
toilet of Webster who is the suspect and tried in use in favor of more accurate molecular
to mislead the investigator by burning some analysis (Ubelaker, 2015).
of the body parts.
Findings: The burned bones represented Current Methods of Forensic Anthropology
those that had been separated. 1. Sex Determination
Sex determination is considered as the
first step in establishing a biological profile. It analyzing the bones of individual’s face and
pertains to the identification and evaluation skull. Race can be determined through nasal
of characteristics that shows differences shape and height, orbital shape, jaw width,
between male and female. Sex is primarily dental arch, ratios of long bones, etc.
determined by reproductive organs and 4. Strature Determination
hormones, secondly by muscles and Stature is variable which is largely
distribution of hair and lastly by physiological controlled by genetics. Numerous studies
differences of skeleton like pelvic bone and related the fact that diet and health have
skull. significant impact on height of an individual.
2. Age Determination Stature is highly correlated with the
The determination of age is important in measurements of body. As mentioned,
confirming the correct identity during mass because of differences in body size and
disaster when number of possible matches shape, anthropologist used a population
are greater. Determining age in children and specific formula to calculate height if sex and
young people depends on morphological ancestry is known. If sex and ancestry of
methods such as radiological examination of unknown could not be determined, the
skeletal and dental growth. In adults, age Anthropologist use generalized formula with
determination is difficult. greater uncertainly.
The estimation of biological age in a
specimen is related to several biological Stature can be measured from various body
processes, but particularly the growth, parts such as long bones of upper and lower
modelling and remodelling of the skeleton, extremities, arm span, shoulder length,
result in age-related changes in the cephalic-facial dimensions etc. Using
morphology of skeleton components. radiological or non-radiological techniques.
3. Ancestry Determination
Race is referred to a population, but in III. ODONTOLOGY
biological sense the term ancestry is preferred Relevant History
by anthropologists. From the skeletal The history of Forensic Odontology
features and geographical location, is written in the Bible as it depicts the
anthropologist place humans broadly into scenario in the Garden of Eden. Bringing back
three biologic divisions: the story of Adam and Eve where the latter
a. Europeans (Caucasoid) convinced Adam to put a bite mark in apple.
b. African (Negroid) Therefore the history of bite mark evidence
c. Asian (Mongoloid) (Forensic dentistry) began with the eating of
Racial differences in the skeleton are forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden
best determined from examination of the (Balachander, 2015.)
skull. The long bone of the extremities can Agrippina and Lollia Pauline Case. This is a
also be helpful. People under same ancestry case wherein a well-documented evidence to
share certain features but vary a lot within the use of teeth for identification which
population. This population differences are began during 66 AD.
studied and database is created. Recognition 1193. First Forensic Identification in India,
and identification of this physical features when Jai Chand, a great Indian monarchy was
leads to the determination of race. Race can destroyed by Muhammad’s Army and Jai
be known by measuring, observing and Chand, Raja of Kanauiji was murdered and he
was identified by his false teeth. whether it be in food, chewing gum or, more
1758. Peter Halket was killed in during commonly, on the victim. When a bite mark
French and Indian wars in a battle near Fort is discovered, numerous steps should be
Duquesne. Halket son identified his father’s taken. Once the mark has been sufficiently
skeleton by an artificial tooth. photographed, a saliva sample is taken from
1814. First use of dental evidence in a the area for potential DNA evidence. Casts or
court case. A dentist served as an expert moulds can then be made. Of another bite
witness in the case of Mrs. Janet Mc Alister in impression is found elsewhere or if a teeth
Scotland. impression is taken from a suspect, a
comparison can be made.
FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY
Forensic Odontology is the application of It’s Importance:
dental science to legal investigation, primarily Teeth are very resistant to damage by fire,
involving the identification of the offender by crashed, and explosions, thus Forensic
comparing dental records to a bite mark left dentistry can be very useful for the following:
on the victim or at the scene, or identification 1. Identification of human remains from
of human remains based on dental records. It mass disasters(e.g. airplane crashes, natural
is the study and practice of aspects of disasters, wars, terrorist attacks).
dentistry that are relevant to legal problems. 2. In identifying human remains bases in
This system measures the teeth their teeth, dental records should ideally be
structure as a means of identification, obtained and compared to those of the
Investigators usually resort to this unidentified body. If this is not possible ,
identification system in cases where skull or other clues in the teeth maybe useful. Tooth
skeletal remains are found and no other eruption is linked to a certain extent with
means of identification can e established. age, giving a possible rough estimation if the
Forensic dentistry of forensic victim. For a young victim, the stage of
odontology is the proper handling , development of a child’s teeth maybe used to
examination and evaluation of dental determine their age, though this can only be
evidence, which will be then presented in the an estimate. The state and wear patterns of
interest of justice (Balachander, et.al. 2015). It an individual’s teeth may give insight into the
is the application of dental knowledge to person’s age, diet, and dental history, as well
those criminal and civil laws that are enforced as personal habits such as ipe-smoking and
by police agencies in the criminal justice eating disorders.
system. The evidence that maybe derived 3. A common method of comparing bite
from teeth, is the age (in children) and marks is to use transparent overlays to record
identification of the person to whom the the biting edges of a suspect’s teeth and
teeth belong. This is done using dental compare them with the crime scene sample.
records including radiographs, ante-mortem These are often drawn on sheets of acetate,
(prior to death) and post mortem which can then be placed over one another
photographs and DNA. Forensic Odontology for comparison. If it is possible, a dental cast
is derived from Latin, meaning forum or will be made of the bite mark for later
where legal matters are discussed. comparison to a suspect sample.
Criminals have been known to have bite
mark impressions at the crime scene, Forensic dentists are responsible for six (6)
main areas of practice. can help forensic dentist find a match of
1. Identification of found human remain teeth to the individual. Eighty percent (80%)
2. Identification in mass fatalities of the time teeth impressions are used to
3. Assessment of bite mark injuries identify unknown victims.
4. Assessment of cases of abuse (child,
spousal, elder) Three Areas in the Modern Forensic
5. Civil cases involving malpractice Odontology
6. Age estimation 1. Evaluation and examination of injuries to
the jaws, oral tissues and to teeth resulting
Bite marks are often found on children who from various causes.
are abused , in a fight between two persons, 2. Examination of marks to possible
sexual assault, homosexual activities and identification or subsequent elimination of a
rape. suspect as the predator.
Each of the thirty-two teeth in human is 3. Examination of fragments or complete
unique due to age and wear. Bites can tell dental remains (including all types of dental
how quickly the offender subdued the victim. restoration) to a possible identification of the
Bites can often be matched to dental records. latter.
Forensic dentist assist in crime solving by
studying teeth and teeth impressions. Dental Two aims in Forensic dentistry :
records are often used to identify people. 1. Identification of the dead person.
Because teeth are one of the hardest 2. Identification of an assailant who has used
substances int the human body, they are his or her teeath as weapon.
frequently well preserved. Dental r-rays or
records showing fillings, position of teeth, etc.