Identification of Unidentified Human Remains - Validity of Dental Records

The aim of this study was to examine the validity of dental records for the identification of unidentified human remains. The sample is composed of 100 subjects selected randomly from the Dental College of King Saud University. Information retrieved from dental records, including charting, radiograph findings and dental progress notes were used as ante-mortem data. The subjects were further clinically and radiographically examined and this subsequent data were used as postmortem records. The post-mortem data were compared to the ante-mortem data to examine the probability of correct identification using the percentage of confidence of certainty. The results showed that all the individuals were identified by their ante-mortem records with variable degree of certainty. The mean percentage of positive identification was 79.49%. Most subjects showed a discrepancy between the simulated post-mortem data and ante-mortem data. These findings were attributed to dynamic changes of dental status and human errors during the processes of initial charting.