An Introduction to the Identifying Clues Teeth Yield

Forensic anthropologists and odontologists (forensic dentists) study teeth with great interest and care, for teeth can yield many clues to lifestyle, ethnic origin, and other characteristics that aid in identifying human remains. Along with dental records, or when records are not available, a forensic anthropologist's, or odontologist's knowledge of teeth can prove vital to an investigation. In this article, I will give you examples of features forensic anthropologists and forensic look for when examining teeth.

Often teeth are all that remain of a victim of an accident or a homicide. Fortunately, teeth can endure a lot more than other bones before disintegrating. After intense fires, for instance, teeth are frequently found even though the rest of the body has been rendered to ash.

Also fortunate is the fact that teeth are a source of DNA. But before DNA is extracted (to be compared to a sample provided by a missing person's family or another source), a forensic anthropologist or a forensic odontologist will examine the wear patterns on the teeth, the general morphology, and will note any fillings or other dental work.

Some characteristics Forensic Anthropologists and Forensic Odontologists look for:

Patterns of wear

Teeth are tools, and as such they develop wear depending on how they are used. Diets heavy in abrasive grains, for instance, will wear the enamel down in certain ways. This can give clues to the area of the world in which the decedent was raised.

Long term pipe-smoking leaves evidence beyond what you may expect--not just tooth staining. Pipe smokers habitually place the pipe in the same spot in the mouth. This habit of clenching a pipe between the teeth, in the same spot, gradually wears the teeth down in a distinctive way. In a similar way, people who play certain musical instruments--such as reed instruments-- may display distinctive wear patterns on their teeth.

Dental work

Lack of dental care can indicate the socio-economic background of the decedent, but doesn't tell the investigator much more. Dental fillings, crowns, and bridgework etc. are much better identifying clues. Dentures will sometimes (unfortunately, not always) have a serial number on them, which can be traced.

Morphological characteristics indicating possible ethnic origin

Ethnic origin can sometimes be established (within a range of accuracy). Two features forensic anthropologists and forensic odontologists look for are Carabelli's Cusp and shovel-shaped incisors.

Carabelli's Cusp:

This is an additional (5th) cusp on the permanent maxillary (upper jaw) molars. This extra cusp is found primarily in persons of European descent.

Shovel-shaped incisors:

This is a feature most common in American Indians and Asians.

These two dental features are the most discussed, but they are not the only things forensic scientists look at. If the mandible (jaw bone) or other bones are present, characteristics of these bones will also be taken into consideration when determining ethnic origin of the decedent.

What I've discussed in this article is just a small part of a very large area of forensic science. Forensic anthropology and forensic odontology's research is ongoing and involves much more than one article could ever cover.

In addition, forensic dentistry involves more than studying a decedent's teeth and, if x-rays are available, comparing antemortem and post mortem x-rays. Forensic Odontologists also study bite marks to assist in identifying perpetrators of violent crimes--a fascinating field of research which is, however, beyond the scope of this article.

Sources for this article include my own experiences in forensic anthropology, with facts double-checked on the following web-sites:

http://www.forensicdentistryonline.org/forensichomepage.htm

http://www.uic.edu/classes/orla/orla312/VariationInToothMorphology.htm

For more information on Forensic Odontology, please see the forensic dentistry link I've provided in the article resources section.