ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 9

SEM Analysis of Incinerated Teeth as an Aid to Positive Identification
Fairgrieve, SI
Assistant Professor, Laurentian University, Ontario

(Received 21 May 1993; accepted 20 July 1993)

Abstract

Tooth crown and root fragments from a crime scene in which the remains were purposefully cremated, crushed and scattered were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) in order to aid the identification process. The SEM was used to confirm the presence of parallel striations in tooth enamel and dentine as a means of determining past dental restoration. In the case presented, incinerated tooth fragments of determined type and position were subjected to SEM analysis, and ascertained to have had previous dental work that matched antemortem dental records of a missing person.

Keywords:
odontology, microscopy, positive identification, human identification, forensic anthropology

Paper ID: JFS13630J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13630J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.