NCJ Number
121248
Journal
Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal Volume: 22 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1989) Pages: 219-224
Date Published
1989
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The detection of dental restorations in a postmortem situation, particularly in mass disasters, has become more difficult for the forensic odontologist with the advent of tooth colored composite restorations.
Abstract
This paper draws attention to the problem and reports on preliminary investigations using caries free extracted teeth prepared with a cavity and restored with different tooth colored restorative materials. The teeth were extracted under long wave ultraviolet and infrared radiation sources. Visual detection with ultraviolet radiation was by UV absorption or differential fluorescence. A portable apparatus was developed which uses infrared radiation to provide detection visually and audibly. The apparatus was tested in a mass disaster situation and was found to be of value but further work is required to improve discrimination sensitivity. Table, figure, and 6 references. (Publisher abstract)