Why a dentist for identification?

Abstract

Identification of humans using the unique features of the teeth and jaws has been used since Roman times. Throughout history, various stories have been recorded in which a person's unusual smile, crowded or fractured teeth, or a single darkened tooth have been used to identify a corpse to the exclusion of all other people. Today, dentists are respected widely as a source of valuable data that can be used to answer questions that arise during a death investigation, and forensic dentists can use these data to provide significant conclusions that can initiate, extend, and substantiate the work of coroners, medical examiners, and detectives. By examining the dental traits and characteristics of one or many bodies, it is possible for the odontologist to provide the corpse with its identity and satisfy a basic societal need.