Forensic Odontology Essay
1. What parameters can be used in the identification of this person?
Forensic science is the uses scientific knowledge to solve legal and criminal investigations by collecting evidence from the crime scene. There are two main parameters that can be used to identify the individual in this case, namely forensic odontology and forensic anthropology. Forensic anthropology identifies human remains especially bones as they could locate and recover suspicious remains to help determine the age, sex, ancestry, stature and features of a decedent from the skeleton. For example, the sex of a person can be determined by studying the base of the skull, the forehead and the jaw. One very efficient method is facial reconstruction. As soon as information such as the race, age and gender are obtained by anthropologists, the artist glues pieces of plastic to the skull at 18-26 key points by using tissue thickness sample charts to identify the victim from the face.
Besides anthropologists, forensic odontologist also plays a role to help identify …show more content…
Describe the gender differences based on the skull bone.
Male Characteristics Female
Larger, heavier, more rugged General appearance Smaller, lighter, more gracile
More pronounced Supra orbital ridges Less pronounced
Square with round margins and blunt edges Orbits Round with sharp margins and sharp edges
Well developed Glabella Ill developed
Wider, more pronounced and tends to extend posteriorly beyond external auditory meatus Zygomatic arches Narrower, less pronounced and does not extend posteriorly beyond external auditory meatus
Larger and more blunt Mastoid processes Smaller and more pointed
A hook-shaped appearance (inion) is more prominent External occipital protuberance Inion is not so prominent
Tend to be square-shaped, closer to a right angle. The ramus is wider and larger. Mandible Tend to have a pointed chin. The ramus is an obtuse angle to the lower jaw bone and is smaller.
Larger, wider and broader Palate Smaller and
Forensic science is the uses scientific knowledge to solve legal and criminal investigations by collecting evidence from the crime scene. There are two main parameters that can be used to identify the individual in this case, namely forensic odontology and forensic anthropology. Forensic anthropology identifies human remains especially bones as they could locate and recover suspicious remains to help determine the age, sex, ancestry, stature and features of a decedent from the skeleton. For example, the sex of a person can be determined by studying the base of the skull, the forehead and the jaw. One very efficient method is facial reconstruction. As soon as information such as the race, age and gender are obtained by anthropologists, the artist glues pieces of plastic to the skull at 18-26 key points by using tissue thickness sample charts to identify the victim from the face.
Besides anthropologists, forensic odontologist also plays a role to help identify …show more content…
Describe the gender differences based on the skull bone.
Male Characteristics Female
Larger, heavier, more rugged General appearance Smaller, lighter, more gracile
More pronounced Supra orbital ridges Less pronounced
Square with round margins and blunt edges Orbits Round with sharp margins and sharp edges
Well developed Glabella Ill developed
Wider, more pronounced and tends to extend posteriorly beyond external auditory meatus Zygomatic arches Narrower, less pronounced and does not extend posteriorly beyond external auditory meatus
Larger and more blunt Mastoid processes Smaller and more pointed
A hook-shaped appearance (inion) is more prominent External occipital protuberance Inion is not so prominent
Tend to be square-shaped, closer to a right angle. The ramus is wider and larger. Mandible Tend to have a pointed chin. The ramus is an obtuse angle to the lower jaw bone and is smaller.
Larger, wider and broader Palate Smaller and