NCJ Number
183937
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 45 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2000 Pages: 589-596
Date Published
May 2000
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the dental identification of charred human remains.
Abstract
The article describes forensic dental evaluation methods for use in a systematic approach to the dental identification of charred human remains. A systematic, conservative approach prevents the loss of valuable dental information before a thorough picture of the individual’s dental remains has been adequately documented. The article explains and illustrates the presenting conditions of fire victims by means of photographs and a series of illustrations and text that describe damage in the fire victims’ dentition. It outlines and illustrates a systematic four-stage process for gaining access to the intraoral structures of charred human remains. Using methods of access to the oral structures that maintain the integrity of the dentition through each stage of the evaluation of charred remains will prevent the loss of potential dental information before a thorough dental charting, intraoral photographs and radiographs can be obtained. Figures, table, references