An Introduction to Forensic Dentistry End of Course Assessment

Introduction to Forensic Dentistry BCIT – September 2003

An Introduction to Forensic Dentistry

End of Course Assessment

Time Allowed

2 hours

Look at, and read, each question carefully.

All the material has been covered within the lectures and exercises.

If anything is unclear, ask your instructor.

Name: BCIT Student No: Reference: Mark:

© 2003 I.A. Pretty

Introduction to Forensic Dentistry BCIT – September 2003 END OF COURSE ASSESSMENT Look at each of these questions carefully and reflect back on each of the lecture courses. Some of these images you will have seen before, others are new and you will need to think carefully about the answers. The number of points for each answer is provided, and do not provide more information than is requested. You should not write beyond the limits of the answer box provided. Question 1

What tooth is an unusual shape? Identify it using the FDI, Zsigmondy and generic name. (3 points)

Question 2

Name the tooth highlighted in green using the FDI system, the tooth in red using its generic name and the tooth in blue using the Zsigmondy nomenclature. (3 points)

What is another, common name, for the tooth highlighted in green? (1 point)

_the upper right central incisor is odd, this is tooth number #1-1 or

UR1__________________________________

_#1-8, upper left central incisor,

LL5_______________________

The wisdom tooth is another common name, also accept third molar

___________________________________________

Introduction to Forensic Dentistry BCIT – September 2003 Question 3

Identify the tooth shown in this picture. State the generic name and whether you think it is a maxillary or mandibular tooth. (2 points) | List three things you know about this tooth (3 points)

Question 4

Select the name of the root arrowed in this picture: (1 point) A) Palatal B) Mesio-buccal C) Mesio-distal D) Root magnus

Question 5 What teeth are the most frequently absent? Place them in order, with the most frequently absent first. (3 points)

_ this is a maxillary lateral incisor, would have accepted central as no comparator

__ any; smaller than central, often missing, smaller root than central, two of them, seen on bitemarks, any other reasonable answer

_ this is the palatal

root__________________

__3rd molars, lateral incisors, premolars

Introduction to Forensic Dentistry BCIT – September 2003 Question 6

This individual has a space between their central incisors, what is this called (1 point) What are two possible causes for this space? (2 points)

Question 7

The picture is of an upper first molar, the upper left six, or #26. Give the name for each of the four surfaces that are labelled. (4 points)

Question 8 List three abnormalities of tooth arrangement of form that might be useful when using the dentition for identification.

__ diastema

__ either a large labial frenum or a mesiodens

______________________ 1) mesial, 2) distal, 3) buccal, 4) palatal (also accept lingual as this is sometime used for upper teeth)

________________________________________

___ fusion, translocation, absence, megadont, microdont, peg shaped laterals, effects of syphilis, any other reasonable answer

______________________________________________________

Introduction to Forensic Dentistry BCIT – September 2003 Question 9 List three of the major constituents of dental amalgam (3 points) Question 10 Complete the gaps in the following: (4 points) This is a dental __radiograph_____. It shows restorations that are made from

____amalgam_______. We can use anatomical terms to describe the form of the

restorations, for example, the filling in the maxillary first molar is a ___MO________,

whereas that in the mandibular second molar is a _____OCC___________.

___________________________________________ mercury tin and copper

_________________________________________

Introduction to Forensic Dentistry BCIT – September 2003 Question 11

This clinical picture is of some complex treatment. Describe the treatment that appears to have been undertaken for the maxillary arch, (1 point) and then describe the treatment which has been provided for the mandibular arch (1 point). Each of these treatments can be of forensic significance, describe how for each treatment (2 points).

Question 12 Why is this method of denture identification unsuitable? (2 points)

_lower arch is an implant supported complete denture, the upper arch is a complete denture, dentures can be labelled and implants have a serial number – highly unique treatments

_ written in ink and will wash off or become unreadable in fire or chemical attack the _________________

Introduction to Forensic Dentistry BCIT – September 2003 Question 13

This is a dental radiograph of the maxillary anterior teeth. What treatment is being undertaken? (1 point) How can this be of forensic use? (1 point). How old do you think this patient is? (3 points) a) Between 5 and 8 years b) Between 8 and 16 years c) Between 16 and 21 years?

Question 14

What kind of radiograph is this? What treatment has been undertaken on the lateral incisor? Write down two things which make this type of radiograph especially suitable for forensic examinations. (4 points)

____ orthodontic treatment is being undertaken, indicates that study models and radiographs will be present in the antemortem record, individual is aged 10 years.

__________________________ this is a periapical radiograph, they are often found in AM records and are easy to replicate in the mortuary

_____________________

Introduction to Forensic Dentistry BCIT – September 2003 Question 15

Can you identify each component of the dental x-ray film? (4 points) Question 16

This radiograph has been punched. Explain what this means and how radiographs should be correctly labelled for both antemortem and postmortem views. Where should the punch be placed? (3 points).

_______________________________________a) plastic packet, b) the film, c) lead foil and d) paper backing

_______________________________________________________

___________________________________________ this is an AM film, PM films should have two holes punched and they should

be in a none-diagnostic area____________

Introduction to Forensic Dentistry BCIT – September 2003 Question 17 Complete the gaps in this statement (3 points) Comparative dental identifications make up a _majority proportion of most forensic

dentists caseload. They are based upon the comparison of ____AM___________

records to postmortem records. Comparison identifications require a __tentative

ID____________ before the process can begin.

Question 18

Name 3 items that can comprise the antemortem dental record (3 points)

Question 19

This is part of the kit for human identifications. What is this object arrowed? What is it used for? What would be required in the antemortem record to necessitate use of this item ? (3 points)

_ written records, radiographs, study models, bills, invoices, photographs, lab prescriptions, medical history

etc…_______________________________________

___________________________________________ an impression tray – would expect to see a study model present in the AM

records_____________________________________

Introduction to Forensic Dentistry BCIT – September 2003 Question 20

This is the photographic equipment that should be taken to both identifications and bitemark investigations. Name the photographic kit that is arrowed. Why should this be used? (2 points)

Question 21

Name three circumstances when a dental identification would be useful? (3 points)

Question 22

In this postmortem examination a set of rubber covered forceps are being used to gain access to the oral cavity. Why is this not advised? (1 point) – what procedure would you recommend instead ? (1 point)

___ this is a ring flash and it is used to correctly illuminate teeth and bite injuries by providing even light

____________________

___ Lots! Demcomposition, burns, trauma, sexual homicide, chemical attach, gun shots etc…

___________________________________________

___ not advised as may break teeth, recommend jaw resection.

______________________

Introduction to Forensic Dentistry BCIT – September 2003 Question 23

This is one type of odontogram. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of this type of dental charting (2 points)

Question 24

What are the four levels of conclusion available when reporting on a dental identification? (4 points)

Question 25

Look at these antemortem and postmortem radiographs. What is your conclusion based

upon a comparison of these? What advanced restoration is present? (2 points)

__________________________________________ has anatomical form and root structures, no provision for mesial and distal recordings

__ exclusion, possible, probable, positive

________________________________________

__ I would rate this as positive, a bridge and endo treatment has been undertaken

_________

Introduction to Forensic Dentistry BCIT – September 2003

Question 26

Look at this radiograph. What

is the purpose of this alpha-

numeric code? (1 point)

In this case – what is the

problem with the placement of

the number? (1 point)

Question 27

What structure is shown

on this radiograph? Why

is it useful for human

identification?

(2 points)

__ Dent-ID system – used in individuals with no restorations. This has been placed on a baby tooth and so will be exfoliated requiring replacement – the first molar would have been a better

choice._________________________________________________________________________________

__ frontal sinus, these are unique and seen on skull

radiographs____________________________________

Introduction to Forensic Dentistry BCIT – September 2003 Question 28

What trait is

shown on these

central incisors?

(1 point)

Which race is

this most

commonly

associated with?

(1 point)

Question 29

What phenomenon is shown in (4)?

What forensic application does this

have? (2 points)

__________________________________________ shovel shaped incisors, Mongoloid indivudals

____________________ translucent dentine, used in ageing – more transluceny – older the

individual__________________________________________________________________________________________

Introduction to Forensic Dentistry BCIT – September 2003

Question 30

What social habit do you think that

this individual may have had? (1 point)

Question 31

Look at these two skulls. Which skull (1 or 2) is male? Can you identify which of the

major races these skulls are likely to belong to? (2 points)

__ probably a pipe

smoker__________________________________

_____ likely to be Caucasoid, male is on the left

___________________________________________

Introduction to Forensic Dentistry BCIT – September 2003 Question 32

Why is the amelogenin locus important in forensic DNA analysis? What dental structure

is coded by this gene? (2 points)

Question 33

Why do teeth offer a investigators a good source for DNA when deep muscle and bone

cannot be used? (2 points)

Question 34

Suggest three sources for AM DNA samples suitable for comparative identification

purposes (3 points)

__ used for sex determination, codes for enamel

___________________________________________

_ the DNA is protected by enamel, the hardest structure in the human

body_________________________________________

____________________________________________ Again – any reasonable answer; toothbrush, biopsy, underwear, hairbrush, are some examples

___________________________________________

Introduction to Forensic Dentistry BCIT – September 2003 Question 35

a) What is this piece of

equipment called?

b) What is it used for?

c) What is required for its correct

operation

d) If you didn’t have one of these

– what else could you do? (4

points)

Question 36

Mass disasters are, from the odontological standpoint, complicated by: (give three

examples, 3 points)

Question 37

______________________________________________This is a cryogenic freezer mill. Used to grind teeth prior to DNA extraction, needs liquid nitrogen. You would section the teeth and scrape out the

pulps.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________ International records, body numbers, number of odonts, complex logistics, body co-mingling, accident investigation requirements, media pressures – any reasonable answer

___________________________________________

Introduction to Forensic Dentistry BCIT – September 2003

What are the three great races that forensic dentists can establish by looking at tooth

form? (1 point)

______________________________________________Negroid, Mongoloid, Caucasoid