Dental Evidence in Forensic Science Quiz Crafted by-
Dr. Wassim Mohammad Rihawi
Vice president of Syrian forensic odontology association
Introduction to Dental Evidence in Forensic Science
Forensic odontology is primarily concerned with the use of teeth and oral structures for identification in a legal context. Various forensic odontology techniques help in the identification of the human remains in incidents such as terrorists’ attacks, airplane, train and road accidents, fires, mass murders, and natural disasters such as tsunamis, earth quakes and floods, etc. (Disaster Victim Identification-DVI). Dental structures are the hardest and well protected structures in the body. These structures resist decomposition and high temperatures and are among the last ones to disintegrate after death. The principal basis of the dental identification lies in the fact that no two oral cavities are alike and the teeth are unique to an individual. The dental evidence of the deceased recovered from the scene of crime/occurrence is compared with the ante-mortem records for identification. Dental features such as tooth morphology, variations in shape and size, restorations, pathologies, missing tooth, wear patterns, crowding of the teeth, colour and position of the tooth, rotations and other peculiar dental anomalies give every individual a unique identity. In absence of ante-mortem dental records for comparison, the teeth can help in the determination of age, sex, race/ethnicity, habits, occupations, etc. which can give further clues regarding the identity of the individuals.
Let's look at the questions and their answers:
Ques 1. Sometimes we need to use the Width of the leg of Abfo#2 and it is :
a) 2 cm
b) 1 inch
c) 3 cm
d) 1.2 inch
Answer - b)1 inch
Ques 2. Which of the following technique is based on open and closed apices of teeth in age estimation:
a) Nolla
b) Gustafson and Koch
c) Cameriere
d) Moorrees
Answer- c) Cameriere
Ques 3. Bitewing Radiographs is not useful for :
a) Cameriere method
b) Size of the pulp chamber
c) View of the septal alveolar crest
d) Evaluate periodontal conditions
Answer- a) Cameriere method
Ques 4. Determining Sex from Craniofacial Morphology – male orbit is :
a) Relatively smaller
b) Sharp margin
c) Round
d) Higher
Answer- a) Relatively smaller
Ques 5. In Prince and Ubelaker’s Method, we do not measure :
a) Coronal displacement of the cementum
b) Translucency height •
c) Periodontosis height
d) Root height
Answer - a) Coronal displacement of the cementum
Ques 6. When the ABFO No. 2 ruler and photographed subject are not on the same plane it is :
a) Type III distortion
b) Type IV distortion
c) Type I distortion
d) Type II distortion
Answer - d) Type II distortion
Ques 7. The contents of a forensic odontology report must be arranged in a standard format and include the following (except) :
a) List of items examined
b) Explaining the methods
c) Results, statistical analysis, and conclusions
d) Qualification(s) of the analyst
Answer - b) Explaining the methods
Ques 8. Rai et al. used basically the same age indicators as Gustafson except for :
a) Apposition of cementum
b) Transparency of root
c) Epithelial attachment
d) Dentin formation
Answer - c) Epithelial attachment
Ques 9. In case of badly disfigured cadavers first step in identification prosses is :
a) Jaw resection
b) Radiographic examination
c) Inframandibular incision
d) Extraoral incisions
Answer - b)Radiographic examination
Ques 10.In Cameriere method, we use :
a) Lateral incisor
b) Canine
c) Second bicuspid
d) Central incisor
Answer - b) Canine
Ques 11. The X-ray- exposure energy must be reduced when working with burned and skeletonized remains time or mA parameters by :
a) By one quarter
b) In half
c) No need
d) By one third
Answer - b) In half
Ques 12. Unprotected natural teeth can be turned to ash at :
a) 540 to 650 degrees C
b) 150 to 200 degrees C
c) 720 to 800 degrees C
d) 940 to 1050 degrees C
Answer- a) 540 to 650 degrees C
Ques 13. Age estimation of bite marks :
a) Is Neither a scientific nor an accurate process
b) We can use colored scale for this purpose
c) Can detected by uv photography just 7 –8 days
d) If it is green so it is 1- 3 days
Answer - a) Is Neither a scientific nor an accurate process
Ques 14. the unintentional failure to fulfill a care giving obligation is
a) Self-Neglect
b) Active neglect
c) Psychological abuse
d) Passive neglect
Answer - d) Passive neglect
Ques 15. Lip prints cannot be used ? h after the time of death :
a) 5h
b) 10h
c) 15h
d) 20h
Answer - d) 20h