Forensic Odontologist

The unique characteristics of dentition and the jaw make dental comparisons a suitable method for identification. Odontology has been used for archaeological investigations as well as forensic and situations of mass disasters.  The odontologist will take either full or partial x-rays of the maxillary or mandibular teeth (upper or lower teeth) in order to make comparisons between post-mortem and ante-mortem radiographs.   It may even be possible for an experienced odontologist to identify an individual from smiling photographs should ante-mortem X-rays be unavailable (Dix and Graham, 2000).  If additional information about an individual is known such as smoking, drug use, etc, it may be possible for the odontologist to check for wear patterns that can suggest lifestyle habits and strengthen a suspected identification (Dix and Graham, 2000).