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• Forensic odontology has been used since ancient times, such as in the Agrippina and Lollia Pauline case in Rome in 66 AD
• Importance of Forensic Odontology

  • Teeth and saliva are an excellent source of DNA
  • Can determine a victim's likely age
  • Assailants leaving bite marks can be compared against samples from suspects
  • Can help determine whether bite marks are offensive or defensive
• French and Indian Wars in 1758


  Peter Halket was killed, his son identified his Father’s skeleton by an artificial tooth
• Forensic Identification in India in 1193


  Jai Chand, Raja of Kanauji was murdered and identified by his false teeth
• Forensic dentistry plays a significant role in identifying victims of crime and deceased individuals through the examination of anatomical structures, dental appliances, and dental restorations
• Earliest Dental Identification in United States

  1. Paul Revere identified fallen revolutionary soldiers

  2. Dr. Joseph Warren (killed 1776) was identified by a denture fabricated by Paul Revere, allowing him to be buried with full military honors
• In 1814, dental evidence was first used in a court case in Scotland involving Mrs. Janet Mc Alister's grave violation
• Dr. Warren was buried with full military honors due to the identification through the denture
• Dr. Nathan Cooley Keep identified the teeth as part of the dentures he made for Dr. Parkman, leading to the first use of dental evidence to convict a murderer
• In 1831, dental evidence was used in a court case involving the disappearance of Caroline Walsh
• Dr. Warren was identified by the small denture fabricated by Paul Revere
• John Wilkes Booth Case: The family dentist identified John Wilkes Booth's body using dental records, confirming his identity
• Dr. George Parkman Case: John Webster was convicted using dental evidence for the murder of Dr. Parkman
• Forensic odontology is commonly used in disasters like typhoons, landslides, and accidents such as airplane crashes and sunken ships to determine the identity of victims and estimate their ages
• Forensic anthropology cannot directly determine the age of a victim, it can only 100% determine the sex or gender of a specimen
• A full complement of primary teeth consists of 10 mandibular and 10 maxillary teeth: 4 central incisors, 4 lateral incisors, 4 canines, and 8 molars
• Primary teeth erupt in a typical pattern depending on the age of the child, with central incisors erupting as early as 6–8 months of age and a full complement of primary teeth erupted by 3 years of age
• First use of dental evidence in a court case was in 1831 involving Caroline Walsh
• In the case of Caroline Walsh, it was noted that she had perfect teeth, but the missing woman had lost her front teeth many years ago
• Mandibular teeth tend to erupt earlier than their maxillary counterparts
• The golden rule of forensic sciences in terms of identification involves the cooperation and coordination of various specialists including law enforcement officials, forensic pathologists, forensic odontologists, forensic anthropologists, serologists, criminalistics, and other necessary specialists
• Forensic odontology cannot directly determine the sex or gender of a victim, it can only estimate the age of a specimen
• Permanent teeth also erupt in a typical pattern depending on the age of the child, with central incisors erupting as early as 6–7 years of age with a full complement of permanent teeth
• Maxillary teeth


  • 4 central incisors
  • 4 lateral incisors
  • 4 canines
  • 8 molars
• Full complement of permanent teeth


  • 16 mandibular teeth and 16 maxillary teeth: 4 central incisors, 4 lateral incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars, and 12 molars
• Female Pelvis


  • Bigger and wider with lighter and denser bones
  • Wider, shorter, and less curved sacrum
  • Slightly oval pelvic inlet
  • Smaller acetabulum
  • Less vertical ilium with less curved iliac crest
  • Shorter, farther apart, and more medially projecting ischial tuberosity
  • Wider pubic arch
  • Wider sciatic notch
  • Flexible and straighter coccyx
  • Designed for purposes of childbearing and easier delivery
  • Oval obturator foramen
  • Thinner and denser pelvic bone
  • Wider pelvic outlet
• Permanent teeth eruption pattern

  Central incisors erupt as early as 6–7 years of age with a full complement of permanent teeth erupted by 16 years of age
• Skull Differences

  • Female: Smaller and lighter skull, Rounded forehead, Smooth supraorbital ridge, Round eye sockets, Sharp upper eye margins, Pointed chin, Sloping angle of the jaw
  • Male: Larger and heavier skull, Sloping, less rounded forehead, Prominent supraorbital ridge, Squarer eye sockets, Blunt upper eye margins, Square chin, Vertical angle of the jaw
• Male Pelvis


  • Smaller and narrower with heavier and thicker bones
  • Longer and narrower sacrum
  • Heart-shaped pelvic inlet
  • Larger acetabulum
  • More vertical ilium with more curved iliac crest
  • Longer, close together, and more laterally projecting ischial tuberosity
  • V-shaped pubic arch
  • Narrower sciatic notch
  • Coccyx projected inwards and immovable
  • Designed to support a heavy body with a stronger muscle structure
  • Round obturator foramen
  • Heavier, taller, and much thicker pelvic bone
  • Narrower pelvic outlet