NCJ Number
164343
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 41 Issue: 3 Dated: (May 1996) Pages: 514-517
Date Published
1996
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This is a case study in the application of a laboratory technique first described by Dr. Brion C. Smith in the "Journal of Forensic Sciences" in January 1992; this involved radiographic reconstruction of root morphology of the teeth in skeletonized remains.
Abstract
Dr. Smith used a human skull laboratory specimen and took radiographs of the skeletonized dentition prior to postmortem extraction of the teeth. Dental impression material enhanced with a radiopacifier was injected into the resulting root sockets, and post-extraction radiographs were taken. A comparison was made of the pre- and post-extraction radiographs to determine if root morphology of the teeth could be reproduced after postmortem dental loss. Dr. Smith positively concluded that this is a simple, inexpensive and reversible technique that enables reconstruction and documentation of dental evidence in skeletal remains. The study reported in the current article evaluated a human skull that showed perimortem and/or postmortem tooth loss. It was discovered in 1991 and deemed to have no usable dental information due to severe alveolar bone destruction. In 1994, using minor modifications of Dr. Smith's technique, the open tooth sockets were sealed off, and a radiopaque material was injected; after radiographic analysis, previously unobserved dental information was revealed. This case study shows that root morphology can be reconstructed, which yields radiographic information that may be useful in the identification of unknown human remains. 9 figures and 1 reference