|
|
       |
 |
 |
ACFEI Articles The American College of Forensic Examiners Recognizes Importance of Forensic Dentistry Publisher: Robert O'Block - Date: 1/13/05 The forensic fields are wide and varied, and many of the specialty sub-disciplines receive little attention outside of scientific and legal circles. However, organizations like the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute (ACFEI), founded by Robert O’Block, recognize how such disciplines fit into the forensic puzzle. One of the key, but often overlooked, forensic disciplines is forensic dentistry. And although forensic dentistry may not receive the public attention it deserves, it is a vital aspect of forensic science. In fact, forensic dentists make up one of the 13 specialty boards that comprise ACFEI: The American Board of Forensic Dentistry. Forensic dentists are dedicated investigators who utilize forensic techniques, in combination with their specialized knowledge of odontology, to provide a unique and important function within the forensic community. Forensic dentists’ most common role is that of the “identifiers of dead persons.” Forensic dentists use their knowledge, as well as dental records, to identify unknown bodies and victims of mass casualties. When dental records are not available, forensic dentists must rely on other techniques to identify the dead. For instance, dental tissues can survive forces that will destroy other bodily tissues, including the forces of trauma, fire, immersion in water, mutilation, and decomposition. Forensic dentists can extract DNA from dental tissues, thereby making it possible to identify the body of an individual who would otherwise remain a Jane or John Doe. Forensic dentists also play a key role in linking the perpetrators of crimes to their victims. In life-or-death struggles, teeth are often used as weapons, and the bite marks left behind, either on the body of a victim or on a perpetrator, can provide important forensic evidence that directly links an individual to a given crime. Because of their specialized training, forensic dentists can identify and analyze such evidence, and can later testify in court. These brief descriptions of the two common roles of the forensic dentist only scratch the surface of the discipline. An understanding of dentistry and odontolgy, as well as knowledge of forensic techniques and the American judicial system, enables forensic dentists to collect evidence, help solve crimes, identify victims and unknown individuals, and much more. Organizations like ACFEI, which is dedicated to providing continuing education and certification for individuals in all forensic disciplines, helps forensic dentists and others in the forensic fields keep up-to-date on the broad and ever-changing field of forensics. The American Board of Forensic Dentistry, established nearly 10 years ago by Dr. O’Block, is a testament to this dedication. If you are a dentist who is interested in learning more about how you can start a forensic practice, the field of forensics, forensic dentistry, ACFEI, or The American Board of Forensic Dentistry, go to www.acfei.com, call (800) 423-9737, or e-mail cao@acfei.com. ACFEI offers several certification courses, including the Certified Forensic Consultant course (developed by a forensic dentist) and the Certified Medical Investigator course, to help dentists and others interested in the field of forensics expand their knowledge and careers. This Article is brought to you by
|
|
|
|
