The Role of Radiography in Forensic Dental Practice

Identification of the deceased is important for social and legal framework. One can make out the identity through the evidences available from the corpse or utilize methods to make the best use of the biologic features unique to that individual. Traditionally finger-print method is the most acceptable method of identification. However, because of difficulty in retrieving these records as they are not readily available or destroyed in case of disasters the utility of this evidence is minimal in forensic practice. Under these circumstances, identification utilizing dental evidence is scientific and comparable utilizing stored records. In many ways, these evidences could be preserved as they could be stored in the form of radiographic records. Radiographs preserve the details and provide objective data in the form of its unique dento-osseous anatomy or specific dental restorations. This paper highlights the ineviblity and inimitability radiographic evidence in the field of forensic dental science.