Forensic dentistry (or forensic odontology) is the handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidence in criminal justice cases.
As well as criminal justice cases, forensic dentists are also involved with Disaster Victim Identification (DVI), which may use similar and shared techniques from forensic dentistry.
Forensic dentists are involved in assisting investigative agencies to identify recovered human remains in addition to the identification of whole or fragmented bodies.
They may also be asked to help in determining age, race, occupation, previous dental history and socioeconomic status of unidentified human beings.
Age estimation is also used for living people, particularly to assist immigration authorities in deciding whether refugees or illegal migrants have reached that designated age (usually 18) which separates a juvenile from an adult.
Please note this course contains images that some people might find distressing.
This course was created with the help of John Clement who held the Inaugural Chair of Forensic Odontology at Melbourne Dental School.
Member Feedback on Forensic Dentistry
Great section, forensic dentistry is fascinating.
Really interesting
Didn't realise that criminals DNA was being tracked using ancestry sites!
Captivating, especially the disaster victim identification
The Forensic Dentistry online learning course has clear and concise aims, objectives and anticipated outcomes, listed below. These will appear on the Dentaljuce Enhanced CPD Certificate, along with the time spent, dates, and detailed topics you studied within the module. Certificates can be printed at any time, covering any range of dates. Dentaljuce CPD complies with the UK GDC's requirements for enhanced verifiable continuing professional development.
Your Professional Development Plan (PDP) Regulatory authorities recommend that CPD/CE is undertaken based on learning needs that you have identified and entered into your PDP. Some authorities may not accept your CPD as verifiable unless it has been identified in the PDP before you undertake it.
Before starting this module, check that the learning outcomes are what you require, and that you have entered the need into your PDP. Here is an example PDP entry for this module.
What development needs have I?
How will I address them?
Target completion date
Outcomes
Date
Completed
To improve my knowledge and understanding of Forensic Dentistry.
(GDC outcomes: B)
Take the Dentaljuce Forensic Dentistry course.
Know the importance of keeping good dental records for person identification.
Know the circumstances in which they may share dental records with the police and legal authorities.
Understand the difference between open and closed disaster victim identification.
Understand the remit of the forensic dentist in legal proceedings.
What development needs have I?
To improve my knowledge and understanding of Forensic Dentistry.
(GDC outcome B)
How will I address them?
Take the Dentaljuce Forensic Dentistry course.
Target completion date
Outcomes
Know the importance of keeping good dental records for person identification.
Know the circumstances in which they may share dental records with the police and legal authorities.
Understand the difference between open and closed disaster victim identification.
Understand the remit of the forensic dentist in legal proceedings.
Date completed
Module Aims and Outcomes
Aim
The aim of the learning and teaching materials in this Dentaljuce module is to allow learners to develop their professional knowledge and understanding of Forensic Dentistry, in line with their identified personal learning requirements.
Course objective
to teach members of the dental team the principles and practice of forensic dentistry.
Anticipated learning outcomes:
The learner will:
Know the importance of keeping good dental records for person identification.
Know the circumstances in which they may share dental records with the police and legal authorities.
Understand the difference between open and closed disaster victim identification.
Understand the remit of the forensic dentist in legal proceedings.
Understand the roles and reliability of dental, DNA, and other evidence in both formal and forensic identification.
GDC Development Outcomes
This CPD will support the learner in meeting the following GDC Development Outcome(s): B.
Aim The aim of the learning and teaching materials in this Dentaljuce module is to allow learners to develop their professional knowledge and understanding of Forensic Dentistry, in line with their identified personal learning requirements.
Course objective
to teach members of the dental team the principles and practice of forensic dentistry.
Anticipated learning outcomes:
The learner will:
Know the importance of keeping good dental records for person identification.
Know the circumstances in which they may share dental records with the police and legal authorities.
Understand the difference between open and closed disaster victim identification.
Understand the remit of the forensic dentist in legal proceedings.
Understand the roles and reliability of dental, DNA, and other evidence in both formal and forensic identification.
GDC Development Outcomes This CPD will support the learner in meeting the following GDC Development Outcome(s): B.
With enhanced CPD Certificates. Dentaljuce is brought to you by the award winning Masters team from the School of Dentistry, University of Birmingham, UK. All have won awards for web based learning and teaching and are recognised as leaders and innovators in this field, as well as being highly experienced clinical teachers. Full access to all 90 courses, no extras to pay.
Student Membership
No Certificates. With universities cutting down on traditional lectures, many students are currently having to rely more on online resources. If you are a student, and you don't need CPD Certificates, we are offering an amazing discount on your Dentaljuce personal membership fee. Special student price just £29 for 12 months individual membership.
