Foreword

In India, crime investigation has been an evolving matter of concern for many agencies of the government primarily due to low conviction rates for many heinous crimes. The delays in the forensic investigation have also been a major concern. In some cases, it is reported that forensic labs around the country have not been able to conclusively conduct evidence-based investigations and reports, due to which cases in the judiciary have lingered for more than even 10 years.

Besides the practical utility of the tool, academically, Forensic Science is an interdisciplinary branch that is an amalgamation of concepts of many science subjects. Forensic Science works in a domain that is a combination of law enforcement and crime-fighting, making it a field of diverse possibilities, challenges and responsibilities. It has been the bedrock of every investigation around the world for solving a crime.

It is in the above context that the present book about forensic odontology caught my attention. Forensic Odontology is in a nascent stage in the country, and slowly it is being understood as a very robust tool to revolutionize crime investigation. This book is an excellent primer to the possibilities of how dental evidence should be collected, handled, examined, reasoned with, and used to scientifically strengthen the criminal investigation system.

While going through the book, I found that the Editors have made a sincere attempt to present an intelligent overview of various aspects of the subject. It fulfills the long-term need for a concise book in this evolving field. The book sieves out the conceptual knowledge and exposure of forensic odontology for medical, dental, allied and litigation purposes. One of the attractive features of the content is that it brings out the remedial measures for challenges in disaster victim identification which can prove to be very helpful in the management during times of crisis.

This book is undoubtedly appropriate and reinforces a long journey ahead to realize the value of Forensic Odontology in strengthening law enforcement agencies to boost the criminal justice system. I believe this book would also be helpful to the labs which have already been accredited by one of our Boards, viz. the National Board of Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), and many more which would venture to increase their scope in Forensic-Biological Sciences group. I would encourage my colleagues, friends, officers and staff of NABL and forensic laboratories to use the book for understanding of this evolving field of forensic investigation in the country.

I congratulate the editors for their sincere effort and wish them all the best.