Scope and Relevance of Forensic Odontology in India – A Review

Abstract

Forensic odontology (FO) encompasses processing, review, evaluation and presentation of dental evidence to provide scientific and  objective data to legal processes. Identification is based on information collected from the remaining dental, oral and para-oral structures.  It is considered one of the most authentic methods of identification as teeth survive in the body even after exposure to extreme conditions  and even after death of an individual. In the revised Bachelor of Dental Surgery Course Regulations (2007), the Dental Council of India  included it as part of the curriculum for third and final year students. The importance of teeth and associated structures in forensics has  gained importance in recent years. This article summarizes the history, scope, current scenario of forensic odontology in India. An electronic database search was done on search engines PubMed and Medline and 24 articles were reviewed.