1Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Banas Medical College & Research Institute, Palanpur, Gujarat
2Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Zydus Medical College & Hospital, Dahod, Gujarat
3Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Zydus Medical College & Hospital, Dahod, Gujarat
*Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Zydus Medical College & Hospital, Dahod, Gujarat. M- 9558818622, Email- ankush6987@gmail.com
Online Published on 17 September, 2022.
Current worsening of the Indian judiciary conditions due to increasing crime and man-made disasters has amplified the role of forensic odontology in identification of the victims. Hence, we aimed to conduct a study on the knowledge and attitude among the medical students regarding forensic odontology because they are the future medical practitioner.
With informed consent, we conducted a cross-sectional study among 154 2nd-year medical students. A structured questionnaire consisting of 17 items relating to forensic odontology to assess the knowledge, awareness, and attitude among medical students was given and data were collected and reviewed.
On analyzing the collected data of 154 participants, the percentage of participants who knew: the meaning of forensic odontology, forensic odontology a part of forensic medicine, and role of forensic odontology in the criminal analysis were 147 (95.5%), 147 (95.5%), and 144 (93.5%), respectively. A total of 141 (91.6%) were aware of bite mark patterns, 87 (56.5%) were aware that the lip prints used for presenting dental evidence, Fingerprints as accurate and sensitive method of comparison and teeth as source of DNA was 62 (40.3%) and 93 (60.4%), respectively. A total of 131 (85.1%) agreed that forensic odontologist as experts, 124 (80.5%) had opted for dental evidence as accurate method. However, only 66 (42.9%) knew the tooth as the choice of evidence in mass disaster. 109 (70.8%) stated dentist as expert witness. The awareness of the role of teeth in age and gender estimation was 135 (87.7%) and 81 (52.6%), respectively, and importance of maintaining dental records were known to 114 (74%).
Based on this data it is clear that still there is a need for awareness regarding forensic odontology in Medical students. This topic must be included in their curriculum to fill up this lacuna. As a future medical practitioner of India they must know the importance and implication of this extremely necessary field of Forensic science.
Forensic Medicine, Forensic Odontology, Medical Students, Bite Marks, Dental Evidence
