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Antemortem Records of Forensic Significance Among Edentulous Individuals

NCJ Number
217662
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 52 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2007 Pages: 423-427
Author(s)
Raymond Richmond B.Sc.; Iain A. Pretty Ph.D.
Date Published
March 2007
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study determined the nature of forensically significant information in the dental records of a population of denture wearers (n=202) being treated at the University of Manchester School of Dentistry.
Abstract
Only 18 percent of the records contained sufficient dental information for the identification of the individual represented. Although 37 percent of the records contained radiographs, a significant majority of these radiographs were DPT (dental panoramic tomographs) views that showed the mandibular and maxillary arches as well as some skeletal features. Skeletal landmarks can be difficult to assess on tomographs. The presence of resorption of bone from both arches means that unless such films are taken within several months of each other, interpretation can be extremely difficult or impossible. Five percent of the records had one or more lateral skull views. Such films display numerous skeletal features and are easily replicated postmortem. None of the records examined referred to denture labeling. A number of authors of both scientific papers and reports on natural and man-made disasters have recommended that denture marking be routinely undertaken. Further research is needed to determine the barriers to the placement of markings on dentures. 1 table, 3 figures, and 23 references