Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:
1. describe meaning, historical development and uses of forensic odontology;
2. explain species determination by DNA analysis, collection of teeth specimens, age estimation by examination of developmental and degenerative changes, sex determination by craniofacial morphology and dimensions, sex differences in tooth dimension;
3. classify bite marks; and,
4. describe cheiloscopy and its forensic value.
Course Contents
Definition and history of forensic odontology. Uses of forensic odontology. Methods and applications of forensic odontology. Identification of unknown remains: positive identification, possible identification, insufficient evidence, and exclusion. Determination of species by DNA analysis: collection of specimens, reference samples, saliva, teeth and storage. Age estimation by examination of developmental and degenerative changes. Sex determination by cranofacial morphology and dimensions, sex differences in tooth dimension, tooth morphology and DNA analysis. Bite mark analysis: classification of bite marks – haemorrhage, abrasion, contusion, laceration, incision, avulsion and artefact. Drawbacks of bite mark analysis; lip print analysis (cheiloscopy).
