Teeth in forensics: A review.

Area of Science:

• Forensic Sciences
• Odontology

Background:

• The rising crime rate necessitates advanced forensic techniques.
• Forensic dentists are integral to crime scene investigations.
• Teeth are resilient and valuable postmortem evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the historical development and diverse applications of forensic odontology.
• To highlight the role of teeth in identification, age estimation, and bite mark analysis.
• To explore the use of dental DNA fingerprinting and blood grouping in forensic investigations.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a 70-year literature review of PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus.
• Utilized search terms including "Forensic odontology," "dental DNA fingerprinting," and "bitemarks."
• Included relevant articles and textbook references.

Main Results:

• Teeth aid in age estimation and blood group determination.
• Dental DNA fingerprinting enables individual identification, even in mass disasters.
• Bite mark analysis links suspects to crime scenes.

Conclusions:

• Forensic odontology is a vital and expanding field in criminal justice.
• Teeth serve as critical evidence for identification and perpetrator linkage.
• Ongoing research continues to enhance forensic odontology's capabilities.