A literature review on dental autopsy – an invaluable investigative technique in forensics

Authors

  • Jyotirmoy Roy National Forensic Sciences University, School of Forensic Science, Laboratory of Forensic Odontology, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5695-778X
  • Ujwal Shahu National Forensic Sciences University, School of Forensic Science, Laboratory of Forensic Odontology, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
  • Payal Shirpure National Forensic Sciences University, School of Forensic Science, Laboratory of Forensic Odontology, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
  • Supriya Soni National Forensic Sciences University, School of Forensic Science, Laboratory of Forensic Odontology, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
  • Utsav Parekh Pramukhswami Medical College, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Gujarat, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0548-7810
  • Abraham Johnson National Forensic Sciences University, School of Forensic Science, Laboratory of Forensic Odontology, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3063-4659

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4322/acr.2021.295

Keywords:

Postmortem, Autopsy, Surgical Incision, Osteotomy, Forensic Dentistry

Abstract

Forensic odontology is a specialty of dental sciences that deals with dental evidence in the interest of the justice system. The science of autopsy has been developing from the ancient times even before the popularization of general medicine. The objective of a medico-legal autopsy is to identify significant clues for an ongoing forensic investigation. However, in certain circumstances, it is difficult to conduct an oral examination owing to the anatomic location of the oral cavity. The onset of rigor mortis after death poses further complications. Thus, skillful and sequential dissections of the oral and para-oral structures are required to expose the dentition. Dental autopsy includes incisions and resection of the jaw for the detailed examination of the oral cavity. The procedure involves various modes of examination, including visual and radiographic, which help in human identification in forensic investigation. The present paper provides an overview of the various methods of dental autopsy.

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Published

2021-08-30

Issue

Vol. 11 (2021)

Section

Review Article

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How to Cite

Roy, J. ., Shahu, U. ., Shirpure, P. ., Soni, S. ., Parekh, U. ., & Johnson, A. . (2021). A literature review on dental autopsy – an invaluable investigative technique in forensics. Autopsy and Case Reports, 11, e2021295. https://doi.org/10.4322/acr.2021.295