Forensic dentistry
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Journal of Dentistry, 5, No. 2, 1977, pp. 158-180. Printedin Great Britain Book Reviews FORENSIC DENTISTRY. By Irwin M. Sopher. 250 X 165 mm. Pp. 162 t xiii, with 70 illustrations. 1976. Springfield, Ill., Thomas. $14.75. This book is designed for a wider audience than merely dentists with an interest in the subject. To assist pathologists, coroners and lawyers who are unfamiliar with dental termin- ology the author presents a concise description of dental anatomy and the basic principles of dentistry. Indeed, Chapter 2, in which the pattern of calcification and eruption of the primary and permanent dentitions and the nomenclature of tooth surfaces and restorations are described, is a model of clarity and economy. Following this introduction the remainder of the book is concerned with identification. Computer models have apparently shown that there are more than 2.5 billion possibilities in charting the human mouth. This specificity combined with the remarkable resistance of the teeth to destruction makes post-mortem examination of the dentition an invaluable aid to identification, second only to fingerprints. The author points out that many of the victims of a multiple accident, such as an air disaster, will not have been previously fingerprinted. Examination of clothing, possessions, blood group and hair colouring will be useful but are too general. Sex, height, weight and age, especially if under 25 years, will all help to narrow the field, but only the teeth will bear specific features pointing to a single individual. Even then irrefutable identification is only possible if the victim had a dentist who kept meticu- lous records. The collection and comparison of ante- and post-mortem data are described and a useful kit for examination at the accident site is illustrated. In addition to citing a number of accidents and murders involving dental identification, two historical examples are given. Paul Revere, the dentist of the famous Ride, utilized dental features in his recognition of Dr Joseph Warren who died at Bunker Hill. The exhumed body of John Wilkes Booth, who assasinated President Lincoln, was identified by a gold filling. The final chapters relate to bite marks in burglary and assault cases. Identification is fre- quently difficult and the author states that the question ‘How specific are the points of comparison leading to the conclusion that the suspect alone could have produced the bite mark?’ is the most controversial in forensic dentistry. Bite marks on victims of assault are fairly well discussed, but the section on bite marks in foodstuffs is somewhat superficial. This book is clearly the work of an enthusiast with many years’ experience. It can be read easily, having clear type and good quality paper. Proof-reading has been meticulous. The many illustrations are large and generally sharp, including the radiographs which SO often suffer in reproduction. Most of the ante- and post-mortem photographs have been repro- duced at the same magnification. One wonders why this policy has been omitted in Fig. 42 where the ante-mortem radiograph shows only three teeth and the post-mortem one the entire maxilla. Fig. 62 is difficult to interpret. Overall, the book can be recommended to dentists and officers of the court as a well- produced introduction to this interesting subject. J. G. Shaw
Transcript of Forensic dentistry
Journal of Dentistry, 5, No. 2, 1977, pp. 158-180. Printedin Great Britain
Book Reviews FORENSIC DENTISTRY. By Irwin M. Sopher. 250 X 165 mm. Pp. 162 t xiii, with 70 illustrations. 1976. Springfield, Ill., Thomas. $14.75.
This book is designed for a wider audience than merely dentists with an interest in the subject. To assist pathologists, coroners and lawyers who are unfamiliar with dental termin- ology the author presents a concise description of dental anatomy and the basic principles of dentistry. Indeed, Chapter 2, in which the pattern of calcification and eruption of the primary and permanent dentitions and the nomenclature of tooth surfaces and restorations are described, is a model of clarity and economy.
Following this introduction the remainder of the book is concerned with identification. Computer models have apparently shown that there are more than 2.5 billion possibilities in charting the human mouth. This specificity combined with the remarkable resistance of the teeth to destruction makes post-mortem examination of the dentition an invaluable aid to identification, second only to fingerprints. The author points out that many of the victims of a multiple accident, such as an air disaster, will not have been previously fingerprinted. Examination of clothing, possessions, blood group and hair colouring will be useful but are too general. Sex, height, weight and age, especially if under 25 years, will all help to narrow the field, but only the teeth will bear specific features pointing to a single individual. Even then irrefutable identification is only possible if the victim had a dentist who kept meticu- lous records.
The collection and comparison of ante- and post-mortem data are described and a useful kit for examination at the accident site is illustrated.
In addition to citing a number of accidents and murders involving dental identification, two historical examples are given. Paul Revere, the dentist of the famous Ride, utilized dental features in his recognition of Dr Joseph Warren who died at Bunker Hill. The exhumed body of John Wilkes Booth, who assasinated President Lincoln, was identified by a gold filling.
The final chapters relate to bite marks in burglary and assault cases. Identification is fre- quently difficult and the author states that the question ‘How specific are the points of comparison leading to the conclusion that the suspect alone could have produced the bite mark?’ is the most controversial in forensic dentistry. Bite marks on victims of assault are fairly well discussed, but the section on bite marks in foodstuffs is somewhat superficial.
This book is clearly the work of an enthusiast with many years’ experience. It can be read easily, having clear type and good quality paper. Proof-reading has been meticulous. The many illustrations are large and generally sharp, including the radiographs which SO often suffer in reproduction. Most of the ante- and post-mortem photographs have been repro- duced at the same magnification. One wonders why this policy has been omitted in Fig. 42 where the ante-mortem radiograph shows only three teeth and the post-mortem one the entire maxilla. Fig. 62 is difficult to interpret.
Overall, the book can be recommended to dentists and officers of the court as a well- produced introduction to this interesting subject.
J. G. Shaw
