ROLE OF FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY IN THE INVESTIGATION OF TERRORISM

Abstract

The latest threat to the mankind is from terrorism which is showing its ugly face
to the all the nations of the world. It is a matter of time before it will engulf the whole world
sooner or later if no effective steps are taken to combat and contain it.
Different branches of science have their own role to curtail the menace of terrorism but
forensic odontology have its own unique role to play in mitigating the effects of terrorism by
identifying the suicide bombers, terrorists, and victims of terrorism including mass disasters
caused by terrorists.
Forensic odontology has taken huge strides since its inception and plays a big role to
identify the persons whether living or dead. Due to terrorist activities especially mass shootings,
bomb blasts, plane hijacking and destruction of planes; identification of victims and terrorists is a
big issue.
Usually, teeth remain intact in such incidents due to its hardness and well-protected
position anatomically. Right from physical examination, their eruption and calcification patterns,
and study of changes due to aging e.g. Gustafson methods and its modification and study of the
DNA profiling, partial to absolute identification can be established of victims and perpetrators of
terrorism.