What role does a forensic odontologist play in death investigations?

A forensic odontologist is a specialist who applies their knowledge of dentistry to legal issues, particularly in identifying unknown victims through dental records. This expertise is crucial in death investigations, especially when the body is decomposed, unrecognizable, or lacking identifiable features. Dental records can provide unique and detailed information, such as the arrangement of teeth, fillings, and other oral characteristics that can definitively link a victim to their dental history.

In scenarios where traditional identification methods are not feasible, forensic odontologists play a vital role in helping law enforcement and forensic teams piece together the identity of deceased individuals. They compare postmortem dental findings with existing dental records to establish a match, which is essential for delivering closure to families and aiding investigations.

Other roles mentioned, such as analyzing blood samples or assessing crime scenes for ballistic evidence, fall under different forensic disciplines and do not involve the specific expertise of a forensic odontologist.