NCJ Number
174204
Journal
Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal Volume: 29 Issue: 4 Dated: December 1996 Pages: 195-203
Date Published
1996
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Two case reports are presented that detail two differing and novel approaches to the reconstruction of the dentition and facial structures of human skeletal remains in Canada.
Abstract
The techniques were designed to aid in the identification of homicide victims or missing persons. Both sets of remains lost multiple teeth after death as a consequence of the skeletonization process. The first approach involved the fabrication of a stone model of the maxillary arch of an unknown skull. Suitable prosthetic teeth were placed in the appropriate positions and the reconstituted dentition was then photographed and digitally cut and superimposed over a photograph of the skull. Soft tissues of the face were then reconstituted by using computer-aided soft tissue superimposition techniques. The second case involved the production of impressions of the individual tooth sockets and radiographs of the jaws. The probable lengths and widths of the teeth were established from this information. Prosthetic teeth were then custom fitted into these areas. The teeth were placed on the actual skull and the mandible using measures of the vertical dimension of the lower face established on the basis of the remaining posterior teeth. Despite these efforts, the people in these cases have not been identified. Photographs and 20 references (Author abstract modified)