Course Name: Forensic Dentistry
Course Type: Distance learning course and laboratory
Course Offering: Beginning September 2004
Course Award: – Module Certificates (5);
– Certificate of training in Forensic Dentistry (5 Modules must be taken)
Required Textbooks, Reference Manuals and Articles for the 5 Modules:
Dorion RBJ ed., Bitemark Evidence, Marcel Dekker, New York, 2004.
Froede, RC, ed., Handbook of Forensic Pathology, 2nd edition, College of American Pathologists, Northfield IL, 2003.
Fixoot RH ed., Forensic Odontology. The Dental Clinics of North America, WB Saunders Company, Philadelphia, 2001.
Johansen, R, Bowers CM, Digital Analysis of Bite Mark Evidence Using Adobe Photoshop. Forensic Imaging Services, Santa Barbara, CA, 2000.
Fierro MF, ed., CAP for Postmortem Examination of Unidentified Remains, 2nd edition, Northfield IL, 1998.
Stimson PG, Mertz CA, Forensic Dentistry, CRC Press, 1997.
Bowers C.M., Bell G.L. Eds, Manual Of Forensic Odontology, 3rd Edition, American Society Of Forensic Odontology, 1995.
Various bound and unbound articles to be named
Course director:
Dr. Robert B. J. Dorion, associate professor, McGill University
Course objectives:
To provide theoretical and practical experience for those interested in forensic dentistry.
To provide registrants with a means of obtaining a level of education, knowledge, training, and experience necessary in partial fulfillment of requirements for board eligibility for the American Board of Forensic Odontology (http://www.abfo.org/qualific.htm).
Course Modules:
The course comprises five Modules: three distance-learning Modules (1, 2, 3), and two laboratory Modules (4, 5). Each Module (1, 2 and 3) is presented at a different time in the calendar year over a seven-week period. Modules 4 and 5 are each one-week intensive hands-on laboratory courses. A course participant can only register for a single Module at a time.
Each Module is three continuing education credits (45 hours).
McGill University, the Faculty of Dentistry, the Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale, and the course director reserve the right to limit the number of Modules offered in any given year and the number of registrants in any given module.
A registrant who has successfully completed the time requirements, theoretical, analytical, practical, assignment, and examination components of a Module (45 hours) will receive a certificate attesting to the completion for that Module.
A registrant who has successfully completed the time requirements, theoretical, analytical, practical, assignment, and examination components of all five Modules (5 * 45 = 225 hours) is granted a certificate of training in forensic dentistry by the Faculty of Dentistry of McGill University (http://www.mcgill.ca/dentistry)
General considerations:
All course material, lectures, correspondence will be in the English language.
The Internet distance-learning course (Module: 1, 2 and 3) has theoretical, analytical, practical, assignment, and examination components.
Normally Modules 1, 2 and 3 are prerequisites to the complimentary laboratory/practical Modules 4 and 5.
Complimentary laboratory Modules 4 and 5 are held at the Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale, Ministry of public security for the province of Quebec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (http://www.msp.gouv.qc.ca/labo/).
Applicants wishing to register for a laboratory Module must receive permission from the course director and obtain security clearance from appropriate authorities. Failure to obtain security clearance precludes course registration. Laboratory Modules 4 and 5 include hands-on autopsy, identification and bitemark procedures in addition to theoretical, analytical, practical, assignment, and examination components on wet and dry specimens.
While participating in Module 4 or 5 course registrants are responsible for their own accommodation, lodging, food and transportation. Special rates for accommodation, lodging and food are available for course registrants.
Course registrants must partake in chat room/online discussions with fellow registrants and/or individual instruction/discussion with the course director. Chat room/online discussions will be held periodically at predetermined times.
Course applicants:
Course applicants must possess a DDS, DMD, MD or equivalent degree from a recognized academic institution. All course registrants must possess a license to practice dentistry or medicine.
Course content:
MODULE 1: IDENTIFICATION PART 1
Body identification guidelines and terminology;
Dental identification methods/techniques: Osseous/dental/soft tissue;
Forensic radiography and forensic photography;
Special methods/techniques: Cheiloscopy, rugoscopy, facial reconstruction, SEM, MRA, DNA, etc.
Post mortem dental charting
Ante and postmortem records
Dental nomenclature
Dental comparison
Report writing
MODULE 2: IDENTIFICATION PART 2
Mass disaster and human rights management;
Computer hardware and software:
Win ID, CIPIC, NCIC, VICAP, CRPQ, CIPC, NCIC, Interpol, etc.
Interaction with other forensic disciplines;
Ethics and the forensic expert;
MODULE 3: BITEMARK EVIDENCE
History of bitemark evidence
Child, sexual and geriatric abuse
Bitemark recognition
Bitemark evidence: terminology, diagnosis, victim/suspect
Collection of Bitemark Evidence
A. Noninvasive Analyses
Photography
Salivary Swabbing – DNA
Bitemark Impressions
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Non-Perishables And Perishables
B. Invasive Analyses
Tissue Specimens: preservation methods/techniques
Histology And Timing Of Injury
COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE FROM THE SUSPECT
Court Order/Informed Consent
Dental History
Standard Photography
Digital Photography
Extra Oral Examination
Intra Oral Examination
Impressions
Study Casts, duplicates/replication
Digitization
METHODS OF COMPARISON
Test Bites
Static Test Bites
Wax
Styrofoam
Dental Impression Materials
Identical Substances
Animal Skin
Dynamic Test Bite on a Volunteer
Direct Comparison – Suspect Biter and the body
– Suspect Biter and the Excised Tissue
– Suspect Biter and the Bitemark Impression
Dental Nomenclature
Inverting Cast (flip horizontal) for Comparison
Overlays
Simple Overlays
Computer Generated Overlays
Metric Analysis
Digital Analysis
Other Comparison Techniques
Pattern Analysis in 3-Dimensions
Videotape
Ink Immersion Technique
Other Methods of Computer Aided Visualization
MODULE 4: IDENTIFICATION PRACTICUM (LABORATORY)
Autopsy including:
Postmortem photography – standard and digital
Postmortem radiography – standard and digital
Oral examination and autopsy
Wet and dry specimens
Report writing: Orientation, Comparison
Types and Reliability of Conclusions
The Courts and the Judicial System
Expert witness testimony
MODULE 5: BITEMARK PRACTICUM (LABORATORY)
Collection Of Bitemark Evidence
A. Noninvasive Analyses
Photography
Salivary Swabbing – DNA
Bitemark Impressions
B. Invasive Analyses
Tissue Specimens: Ring Technique and Tissue Excision
Tissue Fixation
Tissue Storage
Transportation
Transillumination
The Microscope
Histology
Post-Fixation and Storage
METHODS OF COMPARISON
Test Bites
Static Test Bites
Wax
Styrofoam
Dental Impression Materials
Identical Substances
Animal Skin
Dynamic Test Bite on a Volunteer
Direct Comparison – Suspect Biter and the Excised Tissue
Direct Comparison – Suspect Biter and the Bitemark Impression
Dental Nomenclature
Inverting Cast (flip horizontal) for Comparison
Overlays
Simple Overlays
Computer Generated Overlays
Metric Analysis
Digital Analysis
Other Comparison Techniques
Pattern Analysis in 3-Dimensions
Videotape
Ink Immersion Technique
Other Methods of Computer Aided Visualization
Report writing: Orientation, Comparison
Expert witness testimony
Equipment:
Course registrants must possess a notebook/portable PC compatible computer with appropriate specifications, a variety of software programs including Adobe Photoshop, and high-speed Internet access.
Course registrants must also possess an appropriate digital camera with computer downloading capabilities.
.
