An Insight to Forensic Odontology and its Medico-Legal Application

Forensic-Odontology is a branch of forensic science that utilizes dental and oro-facial findings to serve the judicial system. In worldwide scenario; forensic dentists are playing an important role in human identification, bite-mark analysis, maxillofacial trauma and malpractices. A qualitative ‘dental-record’ of clinician is considered as promising tool for judicial purposes. Even in absence of dental records, a forensic dentist can contribute investigating team by dental ‘profile match’. Detection, interpretation and the management of health problems are the soul ethics of medical profession. And when, it reaches to a purposeful reporting level, is the peak of a profession. As a part of health profession's worker, dentists should be aware of the legal implications of individual case-records and their responsibilities towards society. This article gives an insight to Forensic Odontology and outlines some of its medico-legal applications.