What is the main objective of forensic odontology in medicolegal practice?
A Identification of individuals through dental records in legal cases
B Assessment of bite force in trauma patients
C Diagnosis of oral diseases in criminal suspects
D Evaluation of dental treatment outcomes
Solution
Correct Answer: Option A
- The main objective of forensic odontology in medicolegal practice is the identification of individuals through dental records.
- Dental structures are unique, durable, and often survive postmortem changes, making them reliable for identifying unknown deceased persons in legal cases.
- This process is crucial when visual identification is not possible due to decomposition, trauma, or disasters.
- Therefore, forensic odontologists compare ante-mortem and post-mortem dental records to establish identity accurately.
Reference: Forensic Odontology, Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences, Volume 1, Chapter 4, pp. 145-150