Odontology

=What is Odontology?=

== Odontology also known as 'Forensic Dentistry' is the application of dental knowledge to those criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system. The dictionary states that odontology is //"the science dealing with the study of the teeth and their surrounding tissues and with the prevention and cure of their disease on the body."//

It is the proper handling and examination of dental evidence. Their purpose is too find and examine any bites marks on a body, or examine dental records for the purposes of identifying a perpetrator. They are responsible for six different things.


 * 1. Identification of found human remains

2. Identification in mass fatalities

3. Assessment of bite mark injuries

4. Assessment of cases of abuse

5. Civil cases involving malpractice

6. Age estimation ||

=**Schooling**=

= = The only requirement for forensic odontologists is that they are dentists with a doctorate in either dental medicine (D.M.D.) or dental surgery (D.D.S.). Students must have earned bachelor's degrees in science-related disciplines to be considered, as well as experience. Like any other job you can take your schooling further in order to advance in your position in this career. The schooling usually can take between 4-8 years, and the salary ranges from $150,000 - $185,000.



=**Instruments and Tools**=

= = Ultraviolet lights can help law-enforcement when it comes to forensic of dentistry. Using ultraviolet light allow scientist to see the bite damage in the tissue even after the mark and bites itself has faded. DNA is often left from the biter, making DNA analysis possible and another tool used investigation. Things like rulers are also used to measure the size and width of the month bite mark. Tools used in odontology are ones similar to orthodontist when analyzing marks, prints, and DNA. The actual bite itself is the biggest tool, it provides a vast variety of information for the investigator. There are 28 teeth, plus 4 wisdom teeth in adults dentition. each tooth has five surfaces (occlusal, buccal, lingual,mesial, and distal) for a possible total of 160 surfaces. Each surface has its own characteristics and may have fillings, crowns, extractions, bridges, etc. In addition to the teeth we see in our mouths, the roots and bones around them are specific to each person. =**Solving the Crime**=

= = Their purpose is to assist investigative agencies help identify age, race, occupation, and previous dental history of the person the bite marks belong to. Identification is done by the comparison of ante mortem and post mortem time dental records and using the unique features visible on dental radiographs. Bite mark identifications are analyzed and compared. As well as lip print identification of dental specimens at a crime scene or elsewhere. In order to analyze bite marks, forensic dentist will compare the physical characteristics of both a bite wound and the suspects teeth including; the shape of the mouth arc, the evidence of the tooth out of alignment, the distance from cuspid to cuspid, the thickness and width of teeth, spacing, missing teeth, and wear patterns in teeth such as chipping or grinding. Dental impressions are often thought by many scientists in this field is being more significant than DNA. For example twins share the same genetic makeup, however, dental impressions are always going to differ. Odontology helps give investigators a more accurate source of evidence for solving a case and finding the perpetrator.

Bite marks are often found on children who are abused. =**Case Example**=



Bundy was a notorious serial killer that was convicted and later executed due to a large finding in evidence thanks to forensic dentistry. A single bite mark that had been left on a victim caused his incarceration. Bundy was successful with hiding mass amounts of forensic evidence by using rental cars and living in different apartments while carrying out his murders. Bundy even took the precautions of wiping down every surface is murders took place to get rid of any fingerprints. However he was unable to erase the bite mark he had left on a student at the University of Florida State he later murdered. An impression of Bundy's mouth and the bite mark were taken and compared resulting in a perfect match. Almost immediately without any other further investigation his conviction was set in place later resulting in an execution.

By: Asia Dobson & Elizabeth Tichelman **__Bibliography:__** [] [] [] [] [] [|www.utdentists.com]