Dental CE Course: Forensic Odontology in a Medical Examiner

This three-day seminar held at one of the largest medical examiners offices in the country will allow participants to interact with many other forensic science disciplines. There will be an opportunity to observe forensic autopsies, learn about crime scene investigation, anthropology, histology, and toxicology. Participants will also experience actual work-ups of unidentified human remains and participate in a bitemark exercise. The following faculty members were part of the NDMS-DMORT team which was deployed to New York City to work on the World Trade Center disaster: Drs. Warnick, Berman, Lichon, Williams, F. Saul, and Julie Saul, BS.
Day one includes an introduction to Forensic Odontology (identification, mass disaster, WinID computer program, and bitemark case management). Afternoon presentations will include crime scene investigation, forensic anthropology, and toxicology.
Day two participants will view forensic autopsies (pathology/odontology), the dental, anthropology and toxicology laboratories. The afternoon will concentrate on investigation of death (cause and manner).
Day Three (advanced training) is limited to dentists, physicians, and physician assistants. Participants will work-up the identification of an unknown human specimen and participate in a bitemark exercise.
At the completion of the course participants will be able to:
Compare ante mortem and post mortem dental records in the identification of human remains
Have a better understanding of the other forensic science disciplines
Be familiar with the dental response to a mass casualty situation
Understand bitemark recognition and documentation
Understand crime scene investigation, including laboratory procedures, evidence collection, and presentation
Be familiar with cause and manner of death
Identify principles used in age, gender, and race determination of skeletal remains