Dentofacial Radiography in Forensic Dentistry

¹ Orthodontic Department, School of Dentistry, West Virginia University Morgantown, West Virginia

A critical evaluation was made of the importance of dentofacial radiography in forensic sciences. The diverse dentofacial radiographic systems of identification were classified into two categories: reconstructive and comparative. The reconstructive systems aim to determine age, sex, and race information from unknown remains. This is achieved by comparison with norms. The greater the variability of the norms, the less accurate is the determination. Greater accuracy is achieved when age, sex, and race are assessed together. Tables of norms for tooth formation and eruption and for sex and race characteristics were given. The comparative methods make use of an ante mortem radiographic record of the victim and were divided into two groups. In the first group, the ante mortem radiograph has not been taken for identification purposes. It must first be located. Then comparison is made with the post mortem radiographs of the remains. Successful applications of this method were reported and illustrated. The second group of systems using comparative methods includes those where a standardized ante mortem radiograph is taken for future identification use. Different proposed classifications were critically examined. It was recommended that the remains be macerated and that panoramic dental film be taken in conjunction with cephalometric film. It was established that dentofacial radiography is a method of choice for identification. It was pointed out that many medical, dental, and social advantages may derive from these mass records.