DNA fingerprinting. The future of forensic dentistry--a review.

ABSTRACT

Forensic dental identification is at technological cross roads. The incidence of dental restorations, the mainstay of radiographic dental investigations, have declined. Whereas molecular biology laboratory procedures are rapidly increasing in efficiency and availability. With new typing techniques forensic scientists can characterize individuals at the fundamental level of their DNA, and variations between individuals at this level can be used to discriminated between them. The anatomical location of teeth and the extent to which teeth may suffer environmental changes and still provide useful DNA material has propelled forensic odontology. The techniques of DNS fingerprinting, the role of teeth as a source of DNA material and its feasibility is discussed in relatively simple terms.