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Dentists' Qualifications Affect the Accuracy of Radiographic Identification

NCJ Number
203128
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 48 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2003 Pages: 1121-1126
Author(s)
Helena Soomer D.D.S; Michael J. Lincoln M.D.; Helena Ranta D.D.S; Antti Penttila M.D.; Edvitar Leibur M.D.
Date Published
September 2003
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study assessed the effects of forensic odontologists' training and experience on the accuracy of their dental radiographic identifications.
Abstract
Forty odontologists from 19 countries with various levels of training and experience completed a Web-based survey of their qualifications and then completed 9 Web-based radiographic identification cases that involved bitemarks. Based on the training criteria applied in the survey, 22 of the respondents were highly trained, 12 medium-trained, and 6 were poorly trained. Regarding experience in bitemark analysis, 17 were highly experienced, 10 had medium experience, and 13 had little experience. Seventeen participants were academicians, 14 worked in government service, and 9 were in private practice. The nine identification cases consisted of antemortem small X-rays (bite-wings and apical radiographs) and nine corresponding postmortem panoramic radiographs. Each postmortem X-ray was accompanied by a brief forensic case history, and the antemortem X-rays were each accompanied by a brief clinical history taken from the dental records. All cases were positive identifications taken from real forensic cases. The findings provide clear evidence that various levels of training, experience, and practice affiliation among forensic odontologists correlate significantly with their identification accuracy. The paper recommends that forensic odontology professional organizations promulgate and harmonize training and experience standards for forensic dentists; that basic certification standards and advanced standards be required; that forensic odontologists demand and attend forensic training courses; and that continuing education materials be delivered over the Web. 3 tables, 1 figure, and 26 references