A new system for computer aided dental identification in mass disasters

Area of Science:

• Forensic Odontology
• Computer Science Applications in Forensics

Background:

• Several computer programs for dental identification in mass disasters exist.
• Access to these specialized programs can be challenging.
• The Norwegian police use NOVA*STATUS, a text retrieval system, for investigative purposes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate the NOVA*STATUS computer program for dental identification in mass disaster scenarios.
• To demonstrate the program's capability in searching and retrieving postmortem dental records.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the NOVA*STATUS program, a derivative of the British STATUS ONE program.
• Developed a specific coding system for dental information.
• Created a system for interrogating the computer database.
• Tested the system's efficiency using a simulated small-scale disaster.

Main Results:

• The NOVA*STATUS program can efficiently search large pools of postmortem dental registrations.
• Specific dental information (single tooth or multiple teeth) can be retrieved.
• Complete relevant records can be displayed for visual comparison.
• The system demonstrated effectiveness in handling known dental identification challenges.

Conclusions:

• The NOVA*STATUS system provides a viable and accessible tool for dental identification in mass disasters.
• The developed coding and interrogation systems enhance the efficiency of postmortem dental record retrieval.
• The program's successful testing indicates its potential utility for forensic investigations.