Dr. Rupak Sethuraman
SPECIFIC LEARNING OBJECTIVE
 Age estimation using forensic odontology.
 Meaning and importance of bite marks and lip prints
in forensic investigation.
FORMAT
 Guidelines for dental identification
 Palatal Rugae in Identification
 Bite marks and their analysis
 Lip prints and their use in Forensic Science
GUIDELINES FOR DENTAL IDENTIFICATION
 The
postmortem
dental
evidence is gathered by
photographic, radiographic
and charting techniques.
 Photographs should be taken
of full head and face views.
 Images of the occlusal planes
of both dental arches and
individual views of unusual
pathologic or restorative
findings are also obtained.
 Dental
impressions and
jaw resection may also be
required after the initial
full head photographs have
been obtained.
 While
obtaining
postmortem radiographic
evidence, it is difficult to
place
intraoral
radiographic film securely
against the mandible or
maxilla .
 To overcome this difficulty, a self supporting film
holder has been
identification.
developed
for
postmortem
 The maxilla can be split along the midsagittal suture
and each half can be placed horizontally on an
occlusal film.
 Similar exposures can be obtained from the mandible
by mounting the jaw on the edge of a table and placing
an occlusal film under the supporting half.
THE PALATAL RUGAE IN IDENTIFICATION
 Rugae patterns are considered unique to an individual.
 The location of palatal rugae is such that it is usually
preserved even in cases of severe trauma.
 Various patterns and types of rugae have been identified.
 Rugae patterns on the dead person’s maxillary dentures
may be compared to old dentures that may be recovered
from his residence, or plaster model from dental office.
DENTAL PROFILING
 This is used when ante-mortem records are not
available.
 Includes a triad of information ethnic origin ,
gender , age
 Information from this process will enable a more
focused search for ante-mortem records.
 Dental features have complex mode of inheritence and
are combination of heredity and environmental factors
to which person is exposed so different populations
show considerable variation in Dental features.
 Dental features in population divided into

1) Metric(tooth size)

2) Non metric(tooth shape) - more heritable
& dependable
DENTAL AGE ESTIMATION
 Age estimation in prenatal, neonatal and early post
natal child - by use of histologic technique; by
radiographs; neonatal line indicates a live birth; by dry
weight of mineralized tooth (at six months Intra
Uterine - 60mg, newborn-0.5g, six months post natal1.8g).
 Age estimation in children and adolescents - two
events may be used which are eruption and tooth
calcification.
 Age estimation in adults – most difficult, various
methods are used - Gustafson’s method is the most
common.
CRIME INVESTIGATION
BITE MARKS:
 A mark caused by teeth either alone or in combination
with other mouth parts (Mac Donald).
 May be caused by humans or animals; may be on
tissue, food items or other objects.
GUIDELINES
ANALYSIS
FOR
BITE
MARK
 1. Description of the bite mark
 2. Evidence collection
-Examination of the victim and suspect
-Photography of the bite marks
-Saliva evidence to identify blood group antigens
and DNA.
- Impressions and study casts.
-Tissue samples of a bite mark from the dead
person.
 3.
Evidence Analysis- The responsibility of
comparing the photographs of the bite pattern injury
with the dentition of the suspect is the responsibility
of the forensic dentist.
 The forensic dentist first determines whether the
pattern is truly a result of biting or due to some
artifact.
 Once it is established that the pattern is related to the
teeth, it can be matched to the suspect’s dentition .
 LIP PRINTS
 Examination of lip print- cheiloscopy
 Grooves on the lips are heritable and supposed to be
individualistic so material evidence left at a crime
scene is similar to finger prints.
 Any questions??
 Thank you