Forensic Dentistry: Taking a Bite out of Crime

Identification of an individual, living or dead is based on the theory that all individuals are Unique. Humans may be born with anomalies like missing teeth or have Dental Restorations. Teeth are resistant to postmortem destruction and are one of the most durable parts of our body, these characteristic features make teeth useful in identification of bodies in mass disasters, natural calamities and investigation of various offences by Bite Marks Analysis. Human dentition is considered as hard tissue analogue to the finger prints. Forensic Odontology deals mainly in the Civil, Criminal and Research Areas. The Civil class includes malpractice, fraud and neglect in which compensation is sought. Criminal sector includes identification which is done by teeth and from bite marks that may be present on the victim, assailant or on some inanimate objects like food items. Forensic Dentistry may be useful in solving some Medico-Legal Cases. Research field encompasses academic courses for Undergraduate and Postgraduate training, Teaching forensic Odontology to police and new research works.