Introduction

When the subject of forensic dentistry arises, the first reaction of many

people tends to be toward one of two extremes: either very cool or decidedly

gross. The public assumption seems to be that forensic dentistry deals

with “the dead.” This view is not totally inaccurate. Although the majority of

dental identification cases do involve the dead, there is much more involved,

including cases dealing with the living, in this interesting field of art and

science. With training, ongoing continuing education, and experience, the

forensic odontologist will find the application of this knowledge to be personally

rewarding. If dentists are interested but do not wish to pursue the

areas of forensic dentistry that are associated with “wet work,” they will find

that they can practice “dry fingered” forensic dentistry in their own offices

by accurately recording their patient’s oral information on an ongoing basis.

Forensic dentistry or forensic odontology involves several areas that will

be discussed generally in this chapter and explained in more detail in later

chapters. The general definition of this discipline is that forensic odontology

is the combination of the science and art of dentistry and the legal system,

a crossroads of dental science and law. The general topics to be discussed include the subdisciplines of forensic odontology, dental identification,

multiple fatality incident management, bitemarks, abuse, age estimation, and

expert testimony in criminal and civil litigation.