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Forensic
odontology
orensic odontology, also called forensic reveal bite marks on the skin of a victim, the
dentistry, is a unique field that combines forensic odontologist can compare the bite marks
Fthe skills of a specially trained dentist with with replicas of a suspect’s teeth.
those of law enforcement. The forensic dentist’s
primary duty is human identification. Forensic Forensic dentistry has been practiced in the United
odontologists are responsible for examining States for over 200 years. The first recorded case
evidence from cases involving violent crime, of identification by forensic dentistry occurred in
child abuse, elder abuse, missing persons and 1775 following the Battle of Bunker Hill. Dr. Joseph
mass disaster scenarios. The end result of these Warren, an American officer, was killed and buried
analyses is the identifying of victims or suspects by British forces in an unmarked grave. Wanting to
and the establishing of investigative leads. A give him a proper burial, Warren’s family enlisted
perpetrator of a crime often leaves evidence at the help of Paul Revere, a silversmith and part-time
a scene. Bitten food or chewed objects may be denture-maker, to help identify the body. Revere
recovered by scene investigators and examined by was able to identify Warren’s body based upon a
a forensic dentist. Should autopsy investigations partial denture he constructed for the man.
10 THE MYSTERY OF LYLE AND LOUISE
