Forensic odontology, or forensic dentistry is used during
investigations in several ways that can assist in identifying victims as well as
offenders. There are many violent crimes that result in a victim not being
able to be identified by traditional means and in other investigations an
offender may leave bite mark evidence.
When a victim has been murdered and the body has decomposed or
severely burned to the point that finger prints are not available, dental
records may be used by a forensic odontologist to determine whether the records
match the unknown victim. In cases such as these where the victim will not
be able to viewed at the funeral, the jaw will be removed for examination and
placed in a solution of 30 percent hydrogen peroxide for 24 hours and then
washed with running water for another 4 hours to remove any remaining tissue.
When the jaw is prepared to be examined, a statement is made concerning each
individual tooth about whether it is present or not, whether it has been filled
or not, and if filled, what substance was used to fill the tooth. When the
examination is completed, a report is prepared that can then be compared against
any dental records that are submitted for comparison.
There are offenders that bite victims during the commission of a
violent crime such as rape, murder, or abuse. When an offender bites a
victim bite mark evidence is left for interpretation by the forensic
odontologist that can be used during the investigative and trial phases.
Serial murderer Ted Bundy left bite mark evidence at a crime scene, which was
used at his trial to convict him. Bite mark evidence can also assist in
determining whether it was inflicted before or after the death of a victim
depending upon the amount of bruising evidenced around the area of the bite.
There have also been offenders that have left bite mark evidence at the crime
scene in food they have eaten. In cases where bite mark evidence is
present and a suspect has been apprehended, a cast will be made of the suspect's
teeth and compared to the injury to the victim.
