School of Dentistry
DEVELOPMENT OF FORENSIC
ODONTOLOGY IN NIGERIA
VICTOR ADEKUNLE
CENTRE FOR FORENSIC LEGAL MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY
UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE, NETHERGATE, DUNDEE DD1 4NH
MSC FORENSIC DENTISTRY
I. Background School of Dentistry
Forensic odontology is a relatively new field in Nigeria, with its application in DVI being done for the first time with the Dana air crash in 2012, where 152 bodies were recovered and 148 victims were identified through combined forensic odontology and DNA analysis, with 97.4% success.
Three forensic pathologists and two dental surgeons took part in the
identification process. The two dentists, though not forensic
odontologists, used their knowledge and expertise in their fields of
Maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics to successfully identify the
remains.
Past experiences and literature shows that awareness and
knowledge of the importance of the dentition in forensic
identification and formal training played a crucial role in the
development of forensic odontology branch in various countries.
Forensic odontology is an arm or branch of dentistry, which
applies professional dental knowledge and expertice of dental
sciences to arrive at an acceptable forensic evidence which
becomes admissible in a court of law, thereby giving legal
backing and support to evidence based issues which demands
expert witness accounts to solve issues involving identification
of either the victims or perpetrators, in a criminal justice
system or the court of legal jurisprudence.
Forensic odontology involves giving of this dental evidence, by
comparing the available post mortem findings, with the ante
mortem records.
The probable or positive identification is achieved through
thorough and professional examination of the post mortem
dental and other orofacial findings and comparing them with
the available ante mortem records.
Forensic odontology is used in DVI, identification of the
offenders in assaults and rape cases where bite mark analysis
are done and in age estimation of asylum seekers
(1) It involves giving of expert witness evidence
at the criminal justice system. Well documented
dental records and preservation of the charts, is
vital to achieving possible identification;
(2) as these records are used in the comparative
analysis of the ante mortem records, with the post
mortem findings. The research is to raise the awareness
of dentists in Nigeria to the importance of forensic
odontology,
(3) (4) (5) as well as raise their knowledge of
the infrastructure such as the personal protective
equipment, the staff and the kits required towards
the development of forensic odontology in Nigeria.
(1) (6) (7)
School of Dentistryii. Introduction
iii. Aim
To explore the awareness of forensic odontology among practicing
dentists in Lagos, Nigeria;
Developing a forensic odontology facility in the mortuary.
To increase the knowledge of the dentists to the tools and kits used in
forensic dentistry, and the modalities in setting up a forensic
odontology unit in Nigeria.
And to highlight the importance of good, concise and accurate dental
records and charts, as vital tools of identification in forensic
dentistry.
School of Dentistry
iv. Methodology
School of Dentistry
➢An online, web-based JISC survey, comprising of eleven questionaires, was
sent to two hundred and fifty dentists in Lagos, Nigeria. Without reference
to age or gender.
➢One hundred and fifty responses were received, signifying a response rate of
61.6% (n = 154 ).
➢The questions explored the awareness of forensic odontology, the knowledge
of the forensic odontology tools and kits, the importance of good dental
records and charts and their retentions, vis avis, their vital usefulness in
identification.
➢It also explored the importance of teaching of forensic odontology to
university students. The answers were analysed and tabulated, using bar
charts.
Figure 1: Map of Nigeria Figure 2: Web-based JISC survey questions
Figure 3: Dental records
and charts
v. Results
➢ 61.6% (n=154) participating dentists in Lagos, Nigeria out of n=250 responded.
➢ Result showed that 95.5% (n=147) dentists in Nigeria are aware of the forensic odontology;
➢ 79.9% (n=123) have the knowledge of disaster victim identification as the major work of forensic odontologist;
➢ 95.4% (n=146) supported the establishment of department of forensic odontology in Nigeria.
➢ 96.1% (n=148) are aware of the importance of good dental records and charts, as vital tools in identification.
➢ Only 21.3% (n=32) have knowledge of the specialized X-ray NOMAD. An indication on non-participation in the work of forensic dentistry.
School of Dentistry
Figure 4: Chart showing the awareness of forensic odontology in Nigeria
Figure 5: Chart showing the knowledge of disaster victim identification
in Nigeria
Figure 6: Chart showing support for establishment
of forensic odontology department in Nigeria
School of Dentistry
vi. Conclusion
Dentists in Nigeria are aware of forensic odontology
and its importance in identification. They also have the
knowledge of taking and retention of good dental
records, as vital tools in comparative analysis in
identification. However, establishment of department
of forensic odontology and its teaching to
undergraduate students in dental schools, is
important, to further increase the knowledge and
awareness of forensic odontology.
School of Dentistry
vii. References and Acknowledgement
a. My Supervisors DR SCHEILA MANICA and DR ADRIAN HARROLD, Centre for
Forensic Legal Medicine and Dentistry, University of Dundee
b. SELENE ROSS the indefatigable, Scott McGregor the Quintessential
Librarian and Gavin Revie the Master Statistician, University of Dundee
c. My late dad, my mother and sister, my wife and children, family and
friends.
d. Governor Babajide Sanwoolu and wife Ibijoke Sanwoolu
1. Pillai JP, Chokkalingam TS, Aasaithambi B, Nuzzolese E. Establishment
of the forensic odontology department: A proposed model for the basic
infrastructure and forensic odontology kit. Journal of forensic dental
sciences. 2019;11(2):64-72.
2. Ugbodaga PI, Egbor PE, Okoh DS. Awareness of forensic odontology
among Nigerian dentists: A knowledge, attitude and practice study.
African Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Medicine.
2015;1:51-7.
3. Obafunwa JO, Ogunbanjo VO, Ogunbanjo OB, Soyemi SS, Faduyile FA.
Forensic odontological observations in the victims of DANA air crash. The
Pan African medical journal. 2015;20:96.4. Adesopo, A. A., A. A. Agboola, and O. O. Akinlo. "Centralisation of
Intergovernmental Fiscal Power and the Lower Levels of Government in a
Federation: The Nigerian Experience." Journal of Social Sciences 8.3
(2004): 179-195.
5. Ifesanya JU, Adeyemi AT. Accuracy of age estimation using Demirjian
method among Nigerian children. Afr J Med Med Sci. 2012 Sep;41(3):297-
300Health and Safety Executive. Health and safety statistics highlights
2002/03. London: National Statistics; 2003
. Herschaft, Edward E., ed. Manual of forensic odontology. CRC Press,
2011
Contact [email protected] ; [email protected]
+44 7424 63 4868 ; +234 803 33 70966
School of Dentistry
Thank You For Your
Attention!!!
