What's in a tooth!
While DNA profiling and matching is rightfully regarded as the gold standard in victim identification, forensic dentistry serves as valuable supplementary identification tool especially in circumstances where DNA samples are extremely compromised — in identifying cases of mutilated, decomposed and burnt bodies where extraction of DNA from most of the body parts becomes impossible.
(Interpol's DVI (Disaster Victim Identification) guide identifies dental comparison as one of three primary methods of identification (alongside fingerprints and DNA) and affirms that a positive dental match may suffice as a standalone identifier under proper conditions.)
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While India is prone to disasters and uses forensic odontology in identification, there is no unified national policy mandating systematic dental record keeping or a centralised dental database.
'It's time we built one,' says Dr Deepak V, programme coordinator, department of forensic dentistry, College of Dental Sciences, Davangere.
Two ways a tooth helps
DNA extraction
DNA can be extracted from teeth using highly specialised forensic procedures. Teeth are particularly valuable in forensic identification because they're the hardest tissue in the body and can often protect DNA for years—even decades—especially in fire, trauma, or decomposition scenarios.
Tracing dental records
If a forensic dentist finds a root canal treated upper right first molar with a metal crown and a porcelain crown on lower left first molar, and a missing lower left canine tooth during postmortem dental charting, just imagine, the probability of having this same combination of findings among the victims of a closed disaster scenario. These metal restoration can withstand much higher temperatures, says Dr Jayasankar Pillai, forensic odontologist and secretary of Indian Association of Forensic Odontology.
'This is where dental records are useful, provided the antemortem dental records are provided by the family members or the dentists of the deceased person. This can narrow down the identification process and thus can be confirmed by DNA,' he adds.
"Teeth are incredibly durable and often survive trauma, decomposition and fire. Interpol lists dental records among the three primary identifiers—alongside fingerprints and DNA
Dr Deepak V, programme coordinator, department of forensic dentistry, College of Dental Sciences, Davangere
How forensic dentists work
Forensic dentists find the missing links that could lead to the missing person.
They help in segregation of the charred bodies based on age category, by assessing the age of the charred victim by observing the eruption and mineralisation status of the teeth. Based on the colour changes in the teeth on fire, the forensic dentists can even help the fire investigators to elucidate the temperature at which the body was burning.
A widely accepted tool
Dental identification is used extensively not only in the West, but also in Asian countries like Malaysia, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia, notes Dr Ashith B Acharya, professor and head of forensic odontology at SDM College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad.
Dental records are particularly useful for identifying twins who are likely to have the same DNA.
How it helped in the past
9/11 (World Trade Center, 2001) Hundreds of victims were successfully identified via dental records
Asian Tsunami (2004) 46 % of victims were identified primarily using dental comparisons. Thai nationals had low usable dental-record availability, slowing identification for local victims
Other large disasters such as the Scandinavian Star ferry fire of 1990 and various airline crashes have relied heavily on forensic odontology for identification
Two Ways A Tooth Helps
DNA Extraction
DNA can be extracted from teeth using highly specialised forensic procedures. Teeth are particularly valuable in forensic identification because they are the hardest tissue in the body and can often protect DNA for years-even decades- especially in scenarios like fire, trauma or decomposition
Tracing dental records
If a forensic dentist finds a root canal treated upper right first molar with a metal crown and a porcelain crown on lower left first molar, and a missing lower left canine tooth during postmortem dental charting, just imagine, the probability of having this same combination of findings among the victims of a closed disaster scenario.
These metal restorations can withdstand much higher temperatures, says Dr Jayasankar Pillai, forensic odontologist and secretary of India Association of Forensic Odontology. "This is where dental records are useful, provided teh antemortem dental records are provided by the family members or the dentists of the deceased person. This can narrow down the identification proess and can further be confirmed by DNA," he adds
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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
What's in a tooth!
Of the 260 victims of the devastating Ahmedabad aviation tragedy that shook the nation on June 12, 253 were identified through DNA matching. While DNA profiling and matching is rightfully regarded as the gold standard in victim identification, forensic dentistry serves as valuable supplementary identification tool especially in circumstances where DNA samples are extremely compromised — in identifying cases of mutilated, decomposed and burnt bodies where extraction of DNA from most of the body parts becomes impossible. (Interpol's DVI (Disaster Victim Identification) guide identifies dental comparison as one of three primary methods of identification (alongside fingerprints and DNA) and affirms that a positive dental match may suffice as a standalone identifier under proper conditions.) You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru While India is prone to disasters and uses forensic odontology in identification, there is no unified national policy mandating systematic dental record keeping or a centralised dental database. 'It's time we built one,' says Dr Deepak V, programme coordinator, department of forensic dentistry, College of Dental Sciences, Davangere. Two ways a tooth helps DNA extraction DNA can be extracted from teeth using highly specialised forensic procedures. Teeth are particularly valuable in forensic identification because they're the hardest tissue in the body and can often protect DNA for years—even decades—especially in fire, trauma, or decomposition scenarios. Tracing dental records If a forensic dentist finds a root canal treated upper right first molar with a metal crown and a porcelain crown on lower left first molar, and a missing lower left canine tooth during postmortem dental charting, just imagine, the probability of having this same combination of findings among the victims of a closed disaster scenario. These metal restoration can withstand much higher temperatures, says Dr Jayasankar Pillai, forensic odontologist and secretary of Indian Association of Forensic Odontology. 'This is where dental records are useful, provided the antemortem dental records are provided by the family members or the dentists of the deceased person. This can narrow down the identification process and thus can be confirmed by DNA,' he adds. "Teeth are incredibly durable and often survive trauma, decomposition and fire. Interpol lists dental records among the three primary identifiers—alongside fingerprints and DNA Dr Deepak V, programme coordinator, department of forensic dentistry, College of Dental Sciences, Davangere How forensic dentists work Forensic dentists find the missing links that could lead to the missing person. They help in segregation of the charred bodies based on age category, by assessing the age of the charred victim by observing the eruption and mineralisation status of the teeth. Based on the colour changes in the teeth on fire, the forensic dentists can even help the fire investigators to elucidate the temperature at which the body was burning. A widely accepted tool Dental identification is used extensively not only in the West, but also in Asian countries like Malaysia, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia, notes Dr Ashith B Acharya, professor and head of forensic odontology at SDM College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Dharwad. Dental records are particularly useful for identifying twins who are likely to have the same DNA. How it helped in the past 9/11 (World Trade Center, 2001) Hundreds of victims were successfully identified via dental records Asian Tsunami (2004) 46 % of victims were identified primarily using dental comparisons. Thai nationals had low usable dental-record availability, slowing identification for local victims Other large disasters such as the Scandinavian Star ferry fire of 1990 and various airline crashes have relied heavily on forensic odontology for identification Two Ways A Tooth Helps DNA Extraction DNA can be extracted from teeth using highly specialised forensic procedures. Teeth are particularly valuable in forensic identification because they are the hardest tissue in the body and can often protect DNA for years-even decades- especially in scenarios like fire, trauma or decomposition Tracing dental records If a forensic dentist finds a root canal treated upper right first molar with a metal crown and a porcelain crown on lower left first molar, and a missing lower left canine tooth during postmortem dental charting, just imagine, the probability of having this same combination of findings among the victims of a closed disaster scenario. These metal restorations can withdstand much higher temperatures, says Dr Jayasankar Pillai, forensic odontologist and secretary of India Association of Forensic Odontology. "This is where dental records are useful, provided teh antemortem dental records are provided by the family members or the dentists of the deceased person. This can narrow down the identification proess and can further be confirmed by DNA," he adds
New Indian Express
13-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Air India crash: DNA profiling of victims is the most daunting task, says expert
BENGALURU: A tragedy of the scale of Air India's Boeing 787-8 crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday is unfathomable and massive. Handling the aftermath of such accidents is an extremely tough job that requires trained, responsible and sensitive expertise. Fortunately, we do have the expertise in India. On the one hand is the shock and scale of the tragedy, on the other is the need to have immediate boots and hands on the ground. It begins with cordoning off the areas by the police, dousing the fire by expert fire personnel, searching for survivors and rushing them to the nearest hospital, pulling out the dead bodies from inside the debris and sending them to the nearby mortuaries. This is a humongous exercise which calls for immediate and seamless coordination of multiple agencies; from the airport authorities (in an incident like the AI171) to the local police, civic authorities, medics and paramedics, ambulance services, disaster response task force and young volunteers among others who serve as the first responders. The most daunting task is the identification of bodies, which may have got charred or disfigured beyond recognition because of the impact of the crash and the ensuing explosion. The pressure is on forensic doctors to identify and hand over the bodies to the relatives on an urgent basis, but this kind of pressure may be counterproductive. Also, the handing of the victims over to the next of kin requires sensitivity. Sometimes, only a part of the body is available and not the whole body. There are strict guidelines for disaster management and relief, which have to be adhered to. "DNA profiling for disaster victim identification (DVI) is considered to be one of the most reliable and efficient means to identify bodies charred with dismembered body parts," said Dr Vina Vaswani, professor, Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, and Director of the Centre for Ethics at Yenepoya (deemed to be University), Mangaluru. According to the DVI Interpol guidelines, "In disasters, identification is established by taking a post mortem DNA sample, which is matched with their first-degree biological relative. From the relative, antemortem (information before death) information about the victim regarding dental treatment or past history of fracture surgery (including prosthetic implants) is also elicited. For instance, parents may inform them that their son or daughter had dentures or a front tooth missing," she said.
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