Forensic Odontology 1 (DENT90039)

This subject is taken by students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Forensic Odontology.

The formal teaching is given in one intensive teaching periods of 4 or 5 weeks duration. This compression of teaching is intended to assist and encourage interstate and overseas participants. The subject covers basic dental science and forensic medicine and pathology.

The subject's two major components are:

A. Basic Dental Science Unit

1. Embryology of human cranio-facial structures.

2. Anatomy of human cranio-facial structures.

3. Dental embryology.

4. Human tooth morphology.

5. Physical anthropology. Racial traits.

6. Comparative dental anatomy.

7. Dental histology.

8. Age changes to teeth and jaws.

9. Physical methods of study, eg. fundamentals of optics and the utilization of the electro-magnetic spectrum.

10. Data collection, storage, transmission and retrieval.

B. Forensic Medicine and Pathology Unit

1. History of Forensic Odontology.

2. Hazards of the mortuary and scene of crime.

3. The medico-legal autopsy and post-mortem changes.

4. Bite marks and other wounds to the external surface of the bodies of the living and deceased.

5. Identification using Molecular Biology DNA 'fingerprinting'.

6. Non-biological methods of identification.

7. Recording methods and preparation of reports.

8. Soft tissue injuries (the differential diagnosis of the causative agent).

9. Assessment and recording of cranio-facial injuries.

10. Field-kit.

11. Disaster victim identification (DVI).

12. Exhumation.

13. Forensic photography non-contact 3D measurement.

14. Forensic psychology/psychiatry - offender profiling.