[Role of dental panorama in identification procedures]

Identifying the bodies of victims of terrorism or major catastrophies is a difficult task. When the regular procedures of forensic medicine are insufficient, either because the bodies have become putrefied or were burned, the coroner often has to rely on dental identification. The precision of the different dental records written during the life of the victim is not always adequate. Panoramic dental radiography is the only regularly updated and truly reliable identification card. Films taken earlier can be compared to films of the unidentified body. This method could concern members of the armed forces serving abroad as well as airline personnel. The radiogram would be taken at the same time as chest films during medical check-ups. This document would provide a reliable basis for legal identification when needed.