Odontological identification of fire victims ?potentialities and limitations

Abstract

A retrospective study was performed to analyse the power of odontological evidence in burn victims. The material comprised 292 single fire cases registered at 4 centers of forensic odontology in Scandinavia (DK: Aarhus, Copenhagen; N: Oslo; S: Goteborg) covering a 10-year period. Filed antemortem (am) and postmortem (pm) data were critically reviewed and registered. New systems for classification of the degree of injuries to the teeth and jaws and of the quality of dental records were developed. Matching dental am-pm units/features were recorded using the tooth as unit. Units were scored as either ordinary or extraordinary if the frequency of occurrence in a Danish reference population was > or = 10% or < 10%, respectively. The ID conclusion of a single case was classified into one of the categories: no conclusion, ID possible, ID probable or ID established, depending on the number of ordinary/extraordinary matching units. All age groups were represented. Most fatal burns occurred in house fires (62%) and there was a preponderance of males (71%). Detailed written records supplied by single or by systematic radiographs were available in 71% of cases. About 50% of burn victims were classified into the no-injury group and approximately 25% of cases showed injuries to the anterior teeth only. The number and complexity of dental restorations increased with age. The dental examination was a powerful tool in identification of burn victims. Thus, dental identity (ID) was established in 61% of burn victims and dental evidence assisted the identification in another 31% (ID possible 19%; ID probable 12%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Facial burns in children: A series analysis with implications for resuscitation and forensic odontology

“…Forensic odontology can confirm the age of victims in single fatalities and in family fatalities where the a priori possible ages of victims are known. This present study has confirmed the potential utility of identification of children incinerated in house fires 18 and in motor vehicle conflagrations. 21 Survivability after thermal injury depends on an interplay of several themes:…”

“…The rank order of causes of death for all forms of fatal child trauma is similar throughout Australia, [15][16][17] and it is probable that the results of this Queensland study can be extrapolated to those of the nation as a whole. Forensic odontology is of great significance in the identification of fatally burnt victims irrespective of age as this and other studies [18][19][20] have shown. In this current childhood series, 60 per cent of victims had been incinerated and the post mortem remains manifested no facially-recognizable features.…”

“…The number and complexity of dental restorations, and the consequent forensic power, increases with age. 18 To date, there are few published reports on the use of forensic odontology in paediatric fire victims. Forensic odontology can confirm the age of victims in single fatalities and in family fatalities where the a priori possible ages of victims are known.…”

“…Forensic odontology alone (without other identifiers) can establish the identity of 61-68 per cent of incinerated victims [18][19][20] particularly adults. The number and complexity of dental restorations, and the consequent forensic power, increases with age.…”

A look at forensic dentistry – Part 1: The role of teeth in the determination of human identity

“…2 Dental identification of humans occurs for a number of different reasons (Table 1) and in a number of different situations. 3 The bodies of victims of violent crimes, 4,5 fires, 6 motor vehicle accidents and work place accidents, 7 can be disfigured to such an extent that identification by a family member is neither reliable nor desirable. 8 Persons who have been deceased for some time prior to discovery and those found in water also present unpleasant and difficult visual identifications.…”