Editors: Anshu Nanda, Jaskaran Singh

Forensic Odontology: A Handbook for Human Identification

eBook: US $49 Special Offer (PDF + Printed Copy): US $84
Printed Copy: US $59
Library License: US $196
ISBN: 978-981-5124-40-8 (Print)
ISBN: 978-981-5124-39-2 (Online)
Year of Publication: 2023
DOI: 10.2174/97898151243921230101

Introduction

This concise yet comprehensive book provides conceptual knowledge about forensic odontology in medical, dental, allied and litigation purposes.

Written by authors that are highly knowledgeable, experienced and well-established in the field, this handbook lucidly explains basic and advanced components of dental forensics, beginning with anatomical attributes of the tooth, age assessment, dental anomalies and moving ahead to DNA fingerprinting from dental pulp, disaster victim identification from dentures, bite marks and oral autobiography which is a pragmatic approach in identification.

Key features:

- Gives an insight into basic and advanced aspects necessary to become an expert practitioner in forensic dentistry with a focus on how to provide apt evidence and explanations

- Brings out remedial measures for challenges in disaster victim identification which can prove to be very helpful in crisis management

- Provides references for further reading

This book is intended as a handbook for readers who require a basic exposure to forensic dentistry. It will benefit learners and working professionals in forensic medicine, clinical settings, legal review, litigation, disaster management and allied roles involved in the criminal justice system.

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.

Ravi P. Singh
Secretary General
Quality Council of India
Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi, India