ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 September 2003
Page Count: 6

Dentists' Qualifications Affect the Accuracy of Radiographic Identification
(Received 22 May 2003; accepted 12 May 2003)

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of forensic odontologists' training and experience upon the accuracy of their dental radiographic identifications. Forty participating odontologists with various levels of training and experience completed a Web-based survey of their qualifications and then completed nine Web-based radiographic identification cases. They made their identifications using the American Board of Forensic Odontology Categories and Terminology for Body Identification. The results indicate that odontologists with high levels of training and experience performed significantly more accurately than those with lower levels. We conclude that high levels of training and experience in forensic odontology should be developed, maintained, and required of dentists who participate in a forensic team dealing with challenging identification cases.

Keywords:
forensic science, forensic dentistry, forensic odontology, human identification, dental radiography, telemedicine, observer variation, training standards

Paper ID: JFS2003142
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2003142
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