The use of medical and dental radiographs in identification

Following mass disasters and individual deaths, dentists with special training and experience in forensic odontology are frequently called upon to assist in the identification of badly mutilated or decomposed bodies. Teeth and dental restorations are resistant to destruction by fire and the elements and are, therefore, useful in identification. The forensic odontologist makes use of dental radiographs taken of the victim before death. These are compared to dental data from the remains to assist in making the identification. Many features of the teeth and numerous characteristics of dental treatment are quite unique. This permits accurate and legally acceptable identification of the remains. The cases described illustrate the procedures and techniques of identification using ante-mortem and post-mortem radiographs.