Related Experiment Videos
Comparison between fingerprint and dental concordant characteristics
1Department of Oral Pathology, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa.
The Journal of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology
|June 1, 1990
Summary
In South Africa, 7 dental characteristics suffice for identification with restorations. However, mouths with only missing teeth require over 12 concordant features for positive dental identification due to pattern duplication.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Odontology
- Legal Medicine
- Anthropology
Background:
- Fingerprint identification in South African courts accepts 7 concordant characteristics.
- Dental identification typically advocates for 12 concordant features.
- South Africa's diverse population presents unique dental patterns, including frequent decay and missing teeth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the adequacy of 7 concordant dental characteristics for positive identification in the South African context.
- To address the challenges posed by duplicated dental patterns in identification processes.
- To determine the required number of concordant dental characteristics for reliable identification in diverse South African populations.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of fingerprint and dental identification standards.
- Examination of dental formulae patterns within a mixed South African population.
- Assessment of identification reliability based on dental restorations versus missing teeth.
Main Results:
- Seven concordant dental characteristics are feasible for positive identification in mouths with dental restorations.
- Mouths with only missing teeth exhibit pattern duplication, necessitating more than 12 concordant characteristics for reliable identification.
- The standard of 7 concordant dental characteristics has not yet been tested in South African courts.
Conclusions:
- The number of concordant dental characteristics required for positive identification varies based on the presence of dental restorations or missing teeth.
- Dental identification standards may need adjustment for populations with high prevalence of missing teeth to account for pattern duplication.
- Further legal testing is required to establish the admissibility of 7 concordant dental characteristics in South African courts for cases involving only missing teeth.