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Self-Assessment of the Forensic Value of Dental Records

NCJ Number
182664
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 44 Issue: 5 Dated: September 1999 Pages: 906-909
Author(s)
Veronique F. Delattre DDS; Paul G. Stimson DDS
Editor(s)
R. E. Gaensslen Ph.D.
Date Published
1999
Length
4 pages
Annotation
One of the most important aspects of a person's dental record may be its potential value should forensic dental identification of remains become necessary.
Abstract
The better the quality of antemortem dental records, the easier and faster the identification of remains will be. The forensic dentist must be able to select identifying features by decoding the deceased's antemortem dental records. A study was conducted using two groups of dentists who were asked to self-assess the forensic dental value of dental records maintained in their own practices. The three most frequently recorded identifying dental features, other than caries and restorations, were diastemas, displaced or rotated teeth, and dental anomalies. Surveyed dentists imbedded identifying information into the removal prosthetic devices fabricated for their patients an average of only 64 percent of the time. Only 56 percent of the two groups combined felt their dental charts and written records would be extremely useful in dental identification. The authors conclude that the quality of antemortem dental records available for comparison to postmortem remains varies from inadequate to extremely useful. Practicing dentists can contribute to the dental identification process by developing and maintaining adequate records to establish patient identity. 2 references and 7 figures

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