Introduction1
In the interest of justice, forensic odontology is the area of odontology that focuses on appropriately managing and analyzing dental evidence as well as appropriately assessing and presenting dental findings. Three main areas of study make up the field of forensic odontology:
- examining and assessing damage to the teeth, jaws, and oral tissues from different sources;
- examining bite marks in order to rule out or potentially identify a suspect as the source; and
- examining dental remains (whether complete or fragmentary, including all kinds of dental restorations) from unidentified individuals or bodies in order to identify them.
Teeth are essential pieces of evidence in criminal prosecutions, mass disasters, and personal identity because of their durability—they can stay the same for thousands of years. Over the course of the 20th century, the idea of forensic odontology developed, resulting in the quick development of methods and tools that improved the precision of dental identifications. The importance of forensic odontology in the legal domain is becoming more widely acknowledged, especially in India, where forensic scientific developments are expanding quickly.
The value of forensic odontologists in identifying victims of industrial strikes, aviation mishaps, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks—whether they involve explosives, chemicals, radiological, or nuclear weapons—has also been highlighted by catastrophic events. These events can be isolated or widespread.
1Keiser-Nielsen, Forensic Odontology, 1, U. TOL. L. REV., 633, 634, (1969)
2Ibid
3Ibid
Forensic dentistry’s function in the legal industry2
Human identity, age determination, sex/gender identification, race identification, and many other areas of legal investigations depend heavily on forensic dentistry. Identification of humans is hampered by (a) charred or decomposing bodies from large-scale disasters. In these situations, radiography, dental records, and tooth DNA all aid in identifying the person. (b) Dental identification is used in crime investigations for a variety of reasons and situations.
The purpose of the tooth examination is either to identify the deceased victim or to evaluate the bite marks the victim left on the accused. By providing the pieces of evidence from the oral and maxillofacial region (including the teeth), which will be utilized in a jurisdictional setting, forensic odontology plays a crucial role.
- Age estimation is a branch of the forensic sciences that serves as a vital identifying tool in situations where the deceased’s evidence is unavailable. Because people differ slightly in how their teeth form and erupt, dental assessment of chronological age is an essential method of determining age. Techniques include the evaluation of tooth eruption, attrition, and pulp-to-tooth ratio are used.
- Race Identification: Efforts have been attempted to ascertain the degree to which the morphology of the tooth crown can be utilized as a tool to ascertain the expected forms of biological ties between people. Physical anthropologists have long classified our world’s people into three groups: Caucasus, Mongolian, and Negroid. At first, anthropologists and odontologists in France and Germany demonstrated that the major human races differed in specific morphological variations, such as the number of cuspids of molars.
The Comprehensive extent of forensic dentistry in India5
In India, forensic dentistry is a new discipline that will soon become significant because of the intricacy of medico-legal issues. Since its formation in 2000, the Indian Association of Forensic Odontology (IAFO) has organized yearly conferences, greatly advancing the field in India. The scope of forensic odontology in India encompasses Disaster Victim Identification (DVI), career prospects for aspiring forensic odontologists, educational and research advancement, and integration of the practice into the legal system.
- Integration into the Legal System: The Indian courts have acknowledged the value of forensic odontology in a number of cases, highlighting its function in criminal justice. For example, the forensic odontology department of SDM College of Dental Sciences & Hospital, Dharwad, provided evidence in the Mukesh & ANR vs. State for NCT of Delhi (also known as the Nirbhaya case) that the bite marks on the victim’s body matched the teeth of the five accused.
- Educational and Research Development – Many medical colleges have and are incorporating this specific area of study in their course curriculum which would help in furthering the number of specialists in this field leading to more accurate and dependable medical examinations.
- The process of identifying victims of mass casualty occurrences, whether they are caused by natural or man-made causes, is known as disaster victim identification, or DVI. Given that India is prone to earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, and other natural calamities, forensic odontology is essential for identifying victims. Historical examples include the January 15 1934 Bihar-Nepal earthquake (magnitude 8.1) and the 1984 man-made Bhopal Gas Disaster.
- Prospects for Upcoming Forensic Dentists The new odontologists would have plenty of exposure if there were job openings in government forensic labs, law enforcement organizations, and research institutes, among many other chances.
4National Library of Medicine, Forensic Odontology - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
5National Library of Medicine, Forensic Odontology - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
6INTERPOL, Disaster Victim Identification (DVI)
Obstacles and Opportunities for the Future
The field of forensic odontology remains in its infancy in India, in spite of its increasing popularity. It has issues like insufficient dental record preserving, a scarcity of qualified personnel, and coffee focus among law enforcement. The location has benefited greatly by the inclusion of this subject matter in the Indian Association of Forensic Odontology’s (IAFO) undergraduate curriculum, however its application continues to be particularly confined. A few forensic dentistry courses supplied by using numerous universities serve as the inspiration for this research, which can be done in India; but, the dearth of a postgraduate diploma disqualifies it as a legitimate strong point. Actions like legal reforms, training initiatives, and advanced cooperation among forensic professionals.
The advent of a postgraduate degree for this specialization can assist the growth of forensic odontology as a area of examine and consolidate its position in India. Experts and judicial authorities can also substantially beautify its capability. In order to offer forensic odontology the equal appreciate and acceptance that it has in advanced nations, persistent efforts by IAFO, criminal government, and dentists with an hobby within the area are wanted.
Conclusion
In criminal investigations, forensic dentistry is a crucial tool for responsibilities like identifying people, determining age, and detecting criminal interest. There are still gaps that ought to be stuffed for you to completely profit from this present day technical innovation, even if its increase and recognition in India are plain because of the growing number of academic, prison, and studies-based packages. Given India’s emphasis on enhancing the nation of technology, forensic odontology has the capacity to become a essential thing of the Indian felony gadget, which could guide the green and unique administration of justice.
Khushboo Bharti is a dedicated BALLB student at the Institute of Law, Jiwaji University, Gwalior. She is a curious and motivated learner with a strong interest in legal research and contemporary legal issues.
