ABSTRACT
The student will learn how a dental impression may be matched to a suspect or victim. Forensic odontology uses the principles of dentistry to identify human remains and bite marks. Forensic odontologists may use teeth and bite marks or impressions to help identify an unknown person. Like fingerprints, each person has a unique set of teeth. The alignment of the teeth, fillings, and chipped teeth are some of the characteristics that an odontologist will examine to help match a set of impressions or teeth to a suspect or victim. Dental records such as x-rays may play an important part in the identification process. The age of an unknown person also maybe estimated by the number and type of existing teeth. Identifying bite marks often is vital in solving a crime. In fact, a majority of the time, unidentified victims may be identified by the use of teeth impressions.
