A forensic odontologist is a fully licensed dentist who examines the teeth of deceased people as well as bite marks on bodies. A forensic odontologist has four main responsibilities: consulting, expert opinions, teaching, and research. Because forensic odontology is such a specialized field, there are very few of them.
A forensic odontologist is called when a human body is discovered and there is no obvious way to identify the person. She is in charge of creating a cast or mold of the teeth and jaw from the remains, which she will use to accurately identify the person based on dental records. The dental records used can range from recent x-rays to fillings or other work with an identifying mark.
This information is used to locate the deceased’s relatives and begin an investigation into the cause of death. The surviving family members, the police investigation, and the theory surrounding the cause of death are all affected mistakes or carelessness. Most forensic odontologists are consummate professionals who take great care with their work because they understand the consequences of any mistake.
As a consultant, the forensic dentist can provide identification and research services to a variety of law enforcement agencies. When a request is accepted, the forensic odontologist is in charge of the entire process, including providing expert witness testimony in any legal proceedings that may be required. Forensic dentists may be called in to work on human bite marks and determine who they belong to because of their expertise in teeth.
As long as he has investigated the teeth mold and can provide definitive answers to questions raised in court, a forensic dentist can provide expert testimony. Expert witness testimony is also used to describe how a person is not guilty of the charges because of specific features of his bite that rule him out. Studying the case file, testifying in court, and being available to answer any follow-up questions are all part of expert testimony preparation.
Forensic dentists are frequently found teaching specialized courses at universities. They may also give seminars or write books about their particular field of expertise. It’s not uncommon for me to give talks at specialized law enforcement or forensic science conferences or meetings. The vast majority of forensic odontologists are involved in ongoing research. Technology companies, professional services firms, and dental organizations may provide funding. A specialist in this field has access to a wide range of research topics.