Forensic odontology in disaster victim identification

Abstract

This paper reviews MFI's from a historical perspective commencing with DVI in the late 20th century. For this paper, this era, 1970-90s is designated as the early modern period. As DVI by DNA analysis is introduced into the process, in the beginning of the mid-1990s, or late modern period, a shift in ID modality usage is noted. A statistical analysis of the primary identification (ID) methods established that dental identification was the majority identifier, or gold standard, in the early modern era. Although primarily viewed from a United States (US) perspective, referenced international incidents parallel the incidents investigated by US authorities. The introduction of DNA demarcated the early from the late modern era. Through research, development, and application this highly discriminating ID method would effectively, surpass dental ID as the gold standard into the late modern era. DNA ID would eventually overcome early criticism regarding cost and time consumption. In the MFI's discussed, the discriminating accuracy of DNA, when referenced against the dental identifications, validated the reliability of dental ID. Errors will be significantly minimized through confirmatory reconciliation by more than one ID method. In conclusion despite increased usage of DNA, dental ID has not been eliminated and remains a major contributor to DVI. Dental ID continues to develop through increased application of advanced imaging technology. Despite DNA's rapid advancement and application to DVI, the multidisciplinary approach to scientific identification should remain in the near future. Therefore, comparative dental ID will remain an important and reliable contributor to DVI.

Keywords: comparative dental analysis; deoxyribonucleic acid; disaster teams; disaster victim identification; forensic odontology; mass fatality incidents.