Expert Testimony in Criminal and Civil Litigation

Forensic odontologists are frequently called to give sworn testimony in depositions

and courtrooms. The testimony may involve the previously mentioned

areas of dental identification, bitemark analysis, or age estimation. Dentists

participating in forensic casework should expect that at some point they will

be required to provide sworn testimony.

Forensic dentists also may be called to provide an opinion in standard

of care, personal injury, dental fraud, or other civil cases. These cases, as

with other forensic cases, require the evaluation of material and the development

of an opinion concerning the case. Dental experts are not hired guns,

or advocates for one point of view. Dental experts must be advocates for

the truth and endeavor to find that truth by the application of their special

knowledge and skills. The unwavering goal of the forensic dental expert must

be impartiality, thoroughness, and accuracy (see Chapter 16).