Main description:

Forensic odontology refers to the science and practice of dentistry which may be applied to help solve litigation in both criminal and civil cases. It is a specialist branch of dentistry that assists the legal system in the handling, analysis and interpretation of dental evidence.

Forensic Odontology: Principles and Practice pulls together the very latest research findings and advice on best practice and essential skills, including aspects of forensic science that provide a well–rounded educational experience for the reader. Chapters provide coverage of anatomy and morphology, mortuary techniques, physical anthropology, applied forensic sciences, child and elder abuse, and facial approximation. The text introduces the various topics and discusses underpinning philosophies without being an exhaustive historical treatise. Appropriate case studies are used to highlight issues, and references to current research are provided to stimulate further reading and research.

Written by experienced practitioners in the field, this informative introductory text is invaluable to graduate and undergraduate students, as well as experienced dentists, wishing to gain experience or pursue a career in forensic odontology. This text will be a welcome addition to the forensic odontological libraries of all practicing forensic odontologists.

Contents:

Chapter 1 Foundation Knowledge in Forensic Odontology

1.1. Introduction

1.1.1 A short history of forensic odontology

1.2 Forensic Odontology in Australia

1.3 Forensic Odontology in New Zealand

1.3.1 Working as an odontologist

References

Chapter 2 Jurisprudence and forensic practice

2.1 Legal systems and the health care community

2.2 Types of law

2.3 The coronial system

2.4 The investigators within the coroner s jurisdiction

2.5 Court procedures and the expert medical witness

2.5.1. Long–term preparation

2.5.2. Medium–term preparation

2.5.3. Short–term preparation

2.5.4. Logistics of appearing as a witness

2.5.5. Refreshing memory

2.5.6. Revision of medical knowledge

2.5.7. Medico–legal analysis

2.5.8. Pre–trial conference

2.5.9. Entering the court

2.5.10. Conversations outside the court

2.5.11. Appearance and behavior

2.5.12. Dress

2.5.13. Entering and leaving the court

2.5.14. The witness box

2.6. Report writing

Reference

Recommended reading

Chapter 3 Anatomy and morphology

3.1 Dental anatomy and morphology

3.1.1. Morphogenetic fields

3.1.2 Additional teeth

3.1.3 Hypodontia

3.1.4 Shape anomalies

3.1.5 Peg lateral incisors

3.2 General head and neck anatomy

3.2.1 Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

3.2.2 Infratemporal fossa

3.2.3 Pterygopalatine fossa

3.2.4 Mandibular nerve

3.2.5 Salivary glands

3.2.6 Oral cavity

3.2.7 Blood supply and lymphatic drainage of the orodental tissues

3.3 Osteology of the juvenile and adult craniofacial complex

3.3.1 Neurocranium

3.3.2 Frontal bone

3.3.3 Parietal bone

3.3.4 Occipital Bone

3.3.5 Sphenoid Bone

3.3.6 Viscerocranium

3.3.7 Zygomatic bone

3.3.8 Lacrimal bone

3.3.9 Ethmoid bone

3.3.10 Inferior nasal concha

3.3.11 Vomer bone

3.3.12 Nasal bone

3.3.13 Maxilla

3.3.14 Palatine

3.3.15 Mandible

References

Chapter 4 Forensic pathology

4.1 The role of the forensic pathologist

4.2 The medico–legal autopsy

4.2.1 Post–mortem changes in the deceased

4.2.2 Radiological examination

4.2.3 External examination

4.2.5 Internal examination

4.2.6 Post–autopsy procedures

4.2.7 Injuries

4.3 Classification of injuries

4.3.1 Abrasions

4.3.2 Lacerations

4.3.3 Bruises

4.3.4 Incisions

4.3.5 Burns

4.3.6 Compound injuries

4.3.7 Gunshot wounds

4.3.8 Asphyxia

4.3.9 Injury interpretation

4.4 Injury and cause of death

References

Recommended reading

Chapter 5 Human identification

5.1 Human Identification

5.1.1 Methods of Identification

5.1.2 Human Dentition

5.1.3 Role of the Primary Identifiers

5.1.4 Ante–Mortem Dental Data

5.2 Check the heading out when done

5.2.1 Radiographic Images: Facial sinuses and anatomical features within the bone

5.2.2 Superimposition

5.2.3 Facial Reconstruction

References

Chapter 6 Mortuary techniques

6.1 The dental post–mortem

6.1.1 What is the purpose of the dental post–mortem?

6.1.2 Components of a dental post–mortem

6.1.3 Equipment – basic requirements

6.1.4 Oral Health & Safety – personal protection

6.1.5 Tools of the Trade

6.1.6 Photography

6.1.7 Radiographic equipment

6.1.8 CT Scanning equipment

6.1.9 Teeth for DNA analysis

6.1.10 The What and How

6.1.11 Recording of the findings

6.1.12 Condition of the remains

6.1.13 Procedure – putting it all together

6.1.14 Reporting recording of results

6.1.15 Reports

6.1.16 Summary

Reference

Chapter 7 Age assessment

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Some history of age assessment

7.3 A brief review of dental development

7.4 Developments in dental age assessment

7.5 Current age estimation methods

7.6 Australasian specific research in dental age estimation

7.7 Concluding remarks

References

Chapter 8 Bite marks

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Describing bite marks

8.2.1 Bite marks are physical evidence

8.2.2 Class characteristics

8.2.3 Individual characteristics

8.2.4 Anatomical locations of bite marks

8.2.5 Types of bite marks

8.2.6 Not everything is a bite mark

8.2.7 Conclusions based on the description of the injury

8.3 The process of biting and how it relates to bite marks

8.4 The individuality of the dentition and its transfer to the bite mark

8.4.1 The individuality of the human dentition

8.4.2 Accuracy of transfer of dental features to bitten tissues

8.5 Imaging in bite mark cases

8.5.1 Avoiding distortions due to perspective

8.5.2 Avoiding distortions due to parallax

8.5.3 Photographic lighting

8.5.4 File format for image files

8.5.5 Using alternative light sources

8.5.6 Imaging the dental casts for comparison

8.5.7 A note on the use of the ABFO No 2 bite mark scale

8.6 Undertaking the case

8.6.1 Case Selection

8.6.2 The clinical appointments

8.6.3 Bite mark analysis

8.6.4 Bite mark comparison

8.7 Presenting bite mark evidence in court

8.8 Sources of potential distortion and error in bite mark cases

8.8.1 Distortions due to tissue properties and movement of a bitten body part

8.8.2 Distortions due to evidence collection

8.8.3 Distortions due to poor imaging

8.8.4 Potentially controllable variables

8.8.5 Potentially uncontrollable variables

8.9 Limitations of bite mark analysis and reporting the outcomes of bite mark comparisons

8.10 Can we determine the age of the biter from the injury arch dimensions?

8.11 Can we visually age bite marks?

8.12 Swabbing for DNA

8.12.1 Materials required

8.12.2 Method

Conclusion

Future directions

References

Chapter 9 Forensic Odontology in Disaster Victim Identification

9.1 Disasters and disaster planning

9.1.1 Disaster victim identification

9.1.2 DVI Planning and Organisation

9.1.3 DVI and Forensic Odontology

9.1.4 Forensic Odontology DVI Planning

9.1.5 DVI Operations

9.1.6 DVI Documentation

9.1.7 Health and Safety During DVI Operations

9.2 DVI Phase 1 – The scene phase

9.2.1 DVI Phase 1 – The scene phase

9.2.2 Human remains at the scene

9.2.3 Recovery of remains

9.3 DVI Phase 2 – The post–mortem phase

9.3.1 Mortuary

9.3.2 Post–mortem process

9.3.3 Personal property and effects documentation

9.3.4 Skin friction ridge analysis

9.3.5 Forensic pathology examination

9.3.6 Post–mortem radiography

9.3.7 Post–mortem DNA

9.3.8 Anthropology

9.3.9 Post–mortem odontology examination

9.3.10 Radiology and photography

9.3.11 Teeth for DNA

9.3.12 Age assessment

9.3.13 Odontology quality review

9.3.14 Staffing in the mortuary

9.3.15 Equipment and PPE in the mortuary

9.4 DVI phase 3 – the ante–mortem phase

9.4.1 Missing persons database (list)

9.4.2 Ante–mortem data collection

9.4.3 Ante–mortem skin friction ridge records

9.4.4 Ante–mortem DNA

9.4.5 Ante–mortem dental records

9.4.6 Ante–mortem equipment

9.5 DVI phase 4 – the reconciliation phase

9.5.1 Skin friction ridge comparison (reconciliation)

9.5.2 DNA reconciliation

9.5.3 Odontology reconciliation

9.5.4 Detailed reconciliation

9.5.5 Formalisation of identification

9.6 DVI phase 5 – the debrief

9.6.1 Administrative arrangements and information management

9.6.2 DVI and the people

9.6.3 Forensic odontology team organisation

9.6.4 Responsibilities

Reference

Chapter 10 Forensic Anthropology

10.1 The scope of forensic anthropology

10.2 Assessment of ancestry

10.2.1 Importance of assessment of ancestry

10.2.2 Approaches

10.2.3 Tooth size and non–metric traits

10.3 Assessment of sex

10.3.1 Approaches

10.3.2 Sexual dimorphism in the dentition

10.3.4 Sexual dimorphism in juveniles

10.4 Assessment of age

10.4.1 Methods of ageing juvenile and young adults (

10.4.2 Ageing of middle aged to older adults (>30 years)

10.5 Comparative anatomy

10.6 Historical remains

Conclusion

References

Chapter 11 Applied Forensic Sciences

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Crime Scene Protocols

11.3 Forensic Entomology

11.4 Forensic Microbial Aquatic Taphonomy

11.5 The use of energy–dispersive spectroscopy in forensic investigations

Reference

Chapter 12 Odontology Opinions

12.1 Introduction

12.2 General principles

12.2.1 Types of opinions

12.3 Report writing

References

Chapter 13 Forensic Odontology Management

13.1 Introduction

13.2 Administration

13.3 Education

13.4 Research

13.5 Research

References

Chapter 14 Application of Post–Mortem Computed Tomography to Forensic Odontology

14.1 Introduction

14.2 Computed Tomography and Medico–Legal Death Investigation

14.3 Application of PMCT to Odontology

14.4 Computed Tomography and Disaster Victim Identification (DVI)

14.4.1 Triage of multiple deceased in DVI

14.4.2 CT and dental identification in DVI

14.4.3 Logistics and Infrastructure

Conclusion

References

Index