• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2006

The cases of unidentified individual remains submitted to Forensic dentistry section in National Institute of Scientific Investigation, Korea were analyzed to study the application of forensic dental identification into individual identification in the period 2002-2005. The identification cases of unidentified remains were 405 out of 493, which accounted about 82% of whole cases. The incidence of submission of skeletons at least including the skull was increased from 58% in 2002 to 80% in 2005. The numbers of cases for the full examinations were 4 times more than that for age estimation in 2005. Twenty-four cases were submitted for skull to photographic superimposition and 15 out of 24 cases were examined, and the other 9 cases were examined by DNA analysis only. The submitted cases for dental comparison were 23 cases, 9 cases were positively identified, 4 cases were possible, 7 cases were excluded, and 3 cases ended up with insufficient evidences. The proportion of positive identification by dental methods was increased gradually from 9% in 2002 to 46% in 2005. Forensic dental identification has become important and useful because the availability of dental records and radiographs has been increasing. Compared to DNA analysis, forensic dental identification has several advantages such as no needs for high cost equipments and low expenses. And the interpretation of results is straightforward and speedy. These advantages are based on using primary their own dental records of the individuals rather than secondary DNA reference samples from family members. The application of the forensic dental identification to unidentified individual remains will be increased because the dental comparison can complement the limitation of DNA analysis and skull to photographic superimposition in many cases. In order to obtain positive identifications of unidentified remains, a close collaboration between the police and forensic scientists is important. The systemic approach including legislation to preserve dental records of unidentified remains and missing persons for the identification of unidentified remains should be needed.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.177-186
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• 2008

Forensic odontology can be defined in many ways. One of definitions is simply that forensic odontology represents the overlap between the dental and the legal professions. The most important function of forensic odontology to determine of human identity from dental character. We had found 7 unidentified human bodies in Busan metro politan city, 2007 and we have identified 5 bodies among them.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.317-326
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• 2006

Forensic odontology in individual identification has been progressing rapidly and its significance has been increasing. But not all individual identification can be done single method solely. Therefore, understanding the advantage and disadvantage of each method is necessary to achieve forensic individual identification properly in each case for it to be applied promptly, economically and precisely. Now 4 cases of forensic odontology are studied. 2 cases are age identification and 2 cases is forensic confirmation.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2010

Forensic odontology in individual identification has been progressing rapidly and its significance has been increasing. But not all individual identification can be done single method solely. Therefore, understanding the advantage and disadvantage of each method is necessary to achieve forensic individual identification properly in each case for it to be applied promptly, economically and precisely. Now We have identified almost 20 case in Busan and Kyeong Nam area in 2008, 2009 and we would like to report some of cases. Finally We will consider role of forensic odontology.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.235-246
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• 2013

Age estimations by forensic odontology play a great role in personal identification. The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of age estimation cases in Korea. Surveying clients who requested age estimation at the Department of Oral Medicine, Kyungpook National University Dental Hospital from March 2012 to March 2013. The results were as follows: 1. On gender distribution, females(57.14%) were more than males(42.86%). The elderly with 50's and over 60's were majorities(89.28%) of clients, and no clients were below 40's. Most of clients were equal to and lower than elementary school graduate(69.64%). 2. The most frequent reason for age discrepancy between registered age and alleged age was mistakes by family or relatives(80.36%). The purposes of age estimation were welfare(62.50%), social relationship problem(12.50%), to find right age(10.71%), and occupation(8.93%). 3. In order of route to visit at Department of Oral Medicine, they were via government office(48.21%), acquaintances(21.43%), mass media(14.29%), and clinic(10.71%). Clients had high degree of comprehension on age estimation with forensic odontology (scored 7.03 out of 10). The 2/3 of clients were satisfied with present fee for age estimation. 4. The percentage on the proximity of estimated age to alleged age was 69.81%. 4(11.43%) clients were approved on age correction by court.