Dental Evidence in Forensic Science

Dental Evidence in Forensic Science Quiz Crafted by-

Dr. Wassim Mohammad Rihawi

Vice president of Syrian forensic odontology  association

Introduction to Dental Evidence in Forensic Science

Forensic odontology is primarily concerned with the use of teeth and oral structures for identification in a legal context. Various forensic odontology techniques help in the identification of the human remains in incidents such as terrorists’ attacks, airplane, train and road accidents, fires, mass murders, and natural disasters such as tsunamis, earth quakes and floods, etc. (Disaster Victim Identification-DVI). Dental structures are the hardest and well protected structures in the body. These structures resist decomposition and high temperatures and are among the last ones to disintegrate after death. The principal basis of the dental identification lies in the fact that no two oral cavities are alike and the teeth are unique to an individual. The dental evidence of the deceased recovered from the scene of crime/occurrence is compared with the ante-mortem records for identification. Dental features such as tooth morphology, variations in shape and size, restorations, pathologies, missing tooth, wear patterns, crowding of the teeth, colour and position of the tooth, rotations and other peculiar dental anomalies give every individual a unique identity. In absence of ante-mortem dental records for comparison, the teeth can help in the determination of age, sex, race/ethnicity, habits, occupations, etc. which can give further clues regarding the identity of the individuals. 

Let's look at the questions and their answers:

Ques 1. Sometimes we need to use the Width of the leg of Abfo#2 and it  is : 

a) 2 cm 

b) 1 inch 

c) 3 cm

d) 1.2 inch

Answer - b)1 inch 

Ques 2. Which of the following technique is based on open and closed apices of teeth in age estimation:  

a) Nolla                                                      

b) Gustafson and Koch

c) Cameriere                                                       

d) Moorrees

Answer- c) Cameriere

Ques 3. Bitewing  Radiographs is not useful for :  

a) Cameriere method                                                     

b) Size of the pulp chamber

c) View of the septal alveolar crest

d) Evaluate periodontal conditions

Answer- a) Cameriere method

Ques 4. Determining  Sex  from Craniofacial Morphology – male orbit is : 

a) Relatively smaller                                                      

b) Sharp margin

c) Round                                                        

d) Higher 

Answer- a) Relatively smaller

Ques 5. In Prince  and  Ubelaker’s  Method, we  do not measure  : 

a) Coronal displacement of the cementum                                           

b) Translucency height •

c) Periodontosis height

d) Root  height

Answer - a) Coronal displacement of the cementum

Ques 6. When the ABFO No. 2 ruler and photographed subject are not on the same plane it is :

a) Type III distortion                                                    

b) Type IV distortion

c) Type I distortion                                                       

d) Type II distortion

Answer - d) Type II distortion

Ques 7. The contents of a forensic odontology report must be arranged in a standard format and include the following (except) :

a) List of items examined                                                

b) Explaining the methods 

c) Results, statistical analysis, and conclusions                                 

d) Qualification(s)  of  the  analyst

Answer - b) Explaining the methods

Ques 8.   Rai et al. used basically the same age indicators as Gustafson except for :

a) Apposition of cementum                                                      

b) Transparency of root

c) Epithelial attachment

d) Dentin formation

Answer - c) Epithelial attachment

Ques 9. In case of badly disfigured cadavers first step in  identification prosses    is :                                              

a) Jaw resection

b) Radiographic examination

c) Inframandibular incision               

d) Extraoral incisions                                

Answer - b)Radiographic examination

Ques 10.In Cameriere method, we use : 

a) Lateral incisor                                                       

b) Canine

c) Second bicuspid                                                      

d) Central incisor

Answer - b) Canine

Ques 11. The X-ray- exposure energy must be reduced when working with burned and skeletonized remains time or mA parameters by :

a) By one quarter                                                     

b) In half

c) No need                                                        

d) By one third 

Answer - b) In half

Ques 12. Unprotected  natural  teeth  can  be  turned  to ash  at  :

a) 540  to  650  degrees  C                                                    

b) 150 to  200 degrees  C

c) 720  to  800 degrees  C                                                      

d) 940 to 1050 degrees  C

Answer- a) 540  to  650  degrees  C  

Ques 13. Age estimation of bite marks  : 

a) Is  Neither a scientific  nor an accurate process                              

b) We can use colored scale for this purpose 

c) Can detected by uv photography  just  7 –8 days

d) If it is green so it is 1- 3 days 

Answer - a) Is  Neither a scientific  nor an accurate process 

Ques 14. the  unintentional failure  to  fulfill  a  care  giving  obligation is 

a) Self-Neglect                                                  

b) Active  neglect 

c) Psychological  abuse                                                       

d) Passive  neglect

Answer - d) Passive  neglect

Ques 15. Lip prints cannot be used  ? h after the time of death :

a) 5h                                           

b) 10h

c) 15h                              

d) 20h

Answer - d) 20h