Forensic Odontology

Piecing Together the Puzzle This two-day course will introduce participants to forensic odontology’s scope and practice with particular emphasis on disaster victim identification. The utilisation of dental techniques for human identification is simple in concept but complex in process. The NSW Forensic Education Committee team will guide participants through the inter-related processes and procedures utilised in a disaster event. Presentations on the Asian Tsunami and other mass fatality incidents will be used to illustrate the process. A practical component with a mock disaster exercise is held in the main mortuary. Exercises in tooth identification, antemortem and post-mortem radiographic matching and age estimation from radiographic evidence are also components of the course. Participants will have a greater understanding of the value of their clinical records’ quality in the identification process. Become a forensic “sleeper”, a skill set that will fascinate you, but we hope you will never need. The NSW Government has invested $91.5 million to create a world-class Forensic Medicine & Coroners Court Complex. It is the largest facility of its kind in Australia and represents a significant leap forward for coronial investigations in NSW. The extensive high-tech facilities will enable more comprehensive coronial investigations of sudden and unexplained deaths, including complex cases and disasters involving mass casualties. The facility has been carefully designed to offer even greater respect and dignity for grieving families seeking answers. It also provides a more modern and spacious environment for our staff who carry out these vital services.

Learning outcomes

Topics include The history of forensic dentistry Identification methods Physical Anthropology Mass casualty incidents Mortuary procedures Medical Autopsy Dental radiology Forensic pathology Dental records and nomenclature Post-traumatic stress Age estimation Child abuse

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