Forensic Dentistry : A Prosthodontic Perspective

Dental identification assumes critical importance in forensic investigations, especially when the body of a deceased person is decomposed, burned or dismembered. The principal advantage of dental evidence is that it allows easy identification of victims, since it is often preserved after death, unlike other hard tissues. Victims possessing all or most of their dentition have physical characteristics necessary for identification, but those without any teeth lack such information. Information beyond the description of the dentition can be provided by prosthodontists with the use of labeled dental prostheses, removable or fixed, which are critical for identification after mass disasters, whether natural, accidental, or intentional. The use of recent technological advancements such as CAD/CAM, and the legal requirements for maintenance of dental records are not well known to many dental practitioners. This book is a definitive guide on every aspect of prosthodontics helpful in forensic identification, and is a ready reference not only for prosthodontists and forensic odontologists, but also for dental technicians and legal professionals, who will benefit from this comprehensive study.