On the morning of Dec 17, 2012, India woke up with grief over one of the most heinous crimes in its history—the gang rape and brutal assault of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student in Delhi, later known as Nirbhaya (“The Fearless One”). The public outrage was unprecedented, and investigations (2) were rapidly mobilized to find justice.
Among the forensic experts (1) called upon was Dr. Ashith B. Acharya, India’s first qualified forensic odontologist and head of the country’s only forensic dental laboratory. In January 2013, Dr. Acharya performed an in-depth assessment of multiple bite marks found on the victim’s body and dental impressions from the accused. His methodological examination confirmed that the two bite marks belonged to the same source. His findings were approved for use as evidence by the Delhi court on May 6, 2013, setting a trailblazer for forensic odontology in Indian legal history.
No feeling over the judgment. I just performed objective work... But I am happy that my knowledge was used to serve justice.Dr. Ashith B. Acharya, Professor and Head, Department of Forensic Odontology, SDM College of Dental Sciences
His testimony not only helped convict the perpetrators but also legitimized forensic odontology as a credible investigative tool in India.
Understanding Contributions of Forensic Odontology
Forensic odontology integrates dental expertise into legal investigations, primarily through dental identification and bite mark analysis. In situations where traditional identification methods, such as facial recognition, fingerprints, or personal belongings, are rendered ineffective due to severe bodily trauma, advanced decomposition, or disfigurement, certain forensic techniques, like dental records or DNA analysis, become invaluable and often the only reliable means of establishing identity.
The History of Forensic Odontology is both Rich and Captivating on an International Scale:
| Year | Milestone | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1849 | Parkman-Webster Case(USA) | First court-accepted dental evidence; denture identified by Dr.Nathan Cooley |
| 1865 | Identification of John Wilkes Booth(USA) | The assassin of Lincoln was identified by a family dentist via dental restoration |
| 1897 | First Mass Disaster identification(France) | Dental records used after Paris fire to identify victims |
| 1945 | Adolf Hitler Identification(Germany) | Dentist confirmed identity via skull fragments and dental bridges |
| 1981 | Lee Harvey Oswald Exhumation(USA) | Oswald's identity confirmed by ante-mortem dental records |
| 2003 | Identification of Saddam Hussein's Sons(Iraq) | Bodies identified by dental records after missile attack |
| 1191 | First Indian Dental Identification | Raja Jayachandra Rathore identified by false teeth after battlefield death |
| 2013 | Nirbhaya Case(India) | Bite mark evidence accepted in court for the first time |
These achievements establish the enduring significance of forensic odontology in both criminal investigations and mass disaster scenarios worldwide.
What Are Bite Marks?
Bite marks are patterned injuries caused by teeth during violent encounters, commonly found on soft tissue such as skin. Because every individual has a distinct and unique dental arrangement, a bite mark is considered a forensic “signature,” linking suspects to crimes involving physical violence, sexual assault, or abuse.
“Bite marks are a forensic signature.”
MedBound Times reached out to Dr. Ajish M. Saji, Professor and Head, Department of Oral Pathology, Malabar Dental College and Research Centre, for his insights on bite mark analysis in forensic science:
Bite mark analysis is a valuable tool in forensic science, especially when identifying suspects in cases of attacks, misconduct, or murders. A trained forensic odontologist can analyse the bite mark patterns on victims or objects, which can match them with a suspect's dental records, offering significant evidence in criminal investigations. This analysis includes unique dental features such as tooth spacing, rotation, prosthesis, missing teeth, and arch alignment, which can provide a dental 'fingerprint'.Dr. Ajish M. Saji, Professor and Head, Department of Oral Pathology, Malabar Dental College and Research Centre
Collection and Analysis of Bite Marks
Accurate collection is vital to acquire admissible evidence. The American Board of Forensic Odontology (ABFO) guidelines (1986) outline the protocol for the procedure:
From Victims:
Consent, detailed medical and dental history, high-quality photography with ABFO scales at perpendicular angles, saliva swabs for DNA, and dental impressions of bite marks.
From Suspects:
Legal consent followed by both intraoral and extraoral examination, photographs, dental impressions made with American Dental Association-approved impression materials, and bite samples obtained with substances like Aluwax.
This process preserves the integrity of evidence and enables detailed comparison.
Key Constituents of Bite Mark Analysis
Shape and size (crescent, ovoid, irregular)
Dimensions of the dental arch.
Types of injuries (abrasions, lacerations, petechiae)
Healing stage and colour of wounds.
Comparative overlay with dental casts using digital and 3D imaging.
Shortcomings and Criticisms in Bite Mark Analysis
Subjectivity: Interpretation can vary among experts.
Disparate Approach: While ABFO guidelines exist, inconsistent implementation and inadequate validation through further research undermine credibility.
Judicial Disputes: Some courts question bite mark evidence due to wrongful convictions based on misinterpreted marks.
Elastic Properties of Skin: Elasticity-induced distortion of the skin hinders precise matching of bite marks.
Scope and Innovations in Forensic Odontology
Age Estimation: Aids in resolving legal age disputes and unidentified dead bodies.
Victims of Disaster Identification: Disaster scenarios involving multiple casualties routinely employ dental records.
Genetic Analysis: Saliva in bite marks provides powerful biological evidence like DNA.
Digital Forensic Analysis:
Digital tools now incorporate UV light and advanced imaging techniques for better clarity.
Breakthroughs in digital imaging, three-dimensional modeling, and AI-driven pattern recognition are improving the precision and objectivity of investigations.
The integration of machine learning algorithms minimizes examiner bias and enhances the reliability of pattern matching.
Despite its credibility to aid in criminal investigations, especially those involving women and children, forensic odontology (FO) remains underutilized and unrecognized(3) in India's judicial system. The discipline faces challenges at multiple levels:
Grassroots Level:
There is a lack of awareness among police, medical professionals, and the judiciary about the value of dental evidence, resulting in its frequent neglect.
Government Level:
No formal positions exist for forensic odontologists in government hospitals or forensic labs, discouraging dental professionals from pursuing the field.
Administrative Level:
India lacks a regulatory body and a legal framework to accredit FO professionals or standardize practices, making the field unofficial.
Academic Level:
The Dental Council of India does not recognize FO degrees from non-dental institutions and has not introduced postgraduate FO programs, leaving experts unsupported and the subject academically neglected.
Despite its capacity, bite mark analysis is often reduced to several forensic odontology departments. In India and many other countries, forensic odontology is not fully integrated into a regular forensic examination, resulting in a difference between educational training and practical application. Many medical or law enforcement agencies still have a lack of trained odontologists on their forensic teams, and due to a lack of special expertise, sometimes bite mark evidence is ignored or poorly interpreted.Dr. Ajish M. Saji, Professor and Head, Department of Oral Pathology, Malabar Dental College and Research Centre
MedBound Times reached out to Dr. Arulvizhi M, Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Pathology, Mahatma Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Puducherry for her insights on the job market for dentists in forensic odontology:
Job opportunities for trained dentists in forensic odontology are very few. Even with special postgraduate education, very few professionals get employment in government or private forensic laboratories. Between training and available job roles, it discourages dental graduates from advancing the field, despite its relevance and possible contribution to the judiciary.Dr. Arulvizhi M, Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Pathology, Mahatma Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Puducherry
A Vast and Growing Frontier
The Nirbhaya case was a defining moment for forensic odontology in India, showcasing how scientific rigor can aid justice. Forensic dentistry has had a prosperous legacy for centuries, from the Parkman-Webster case to modern high-profile identifications.
Although some challenges remain, the field continues to evolve with technology, amplifying its accuracy and judicial acceptance. Forensic odontology holds vast potential—not only in criminal investigations but also in humanitarian efforts, disaster response, and civil litigation—cementing its role as an indispensable tool in modern forensic science.
Yet, it remains underrecognized and underutilized in India. To harness its value, the government must take steps to support, regulate, and integrate this specialty through eminent policy reforms, academic inclusion, and institutional backing. Empowering forensic odontology will ensure a stronger, more scientific approach to justice in the future.
Reference:
The Health Site. “Meet Dr Ashith B Acharya – the Dentist Who Helped Solve the Delhi Gang Rape Case.” The Health Site, September 13, 2013. https://www.thehealthsite.com/news/meet-dr-ashith-b-acharya-the-dentist-who-helped-solve-the-delhi-gang-rape-case-80755/.
The Interview Portal. “Forensic Odontologist Interview.” The Interview Portal, September 8, 2017. https://theinterviewportal.com/2017/09/08/forensic-odontologist-interview/.
Gawali, Rohan Ashok. “Hurdles and the Future of Forensic Odontology in India.” Journal of Dental Research and Review 7, no. 3 (July–September 2020): 95–96. https://journals.lww.com/jdrr/fulltext/2020/07030/hurdles_and_the_future_of_forensic_odontology_in.1.aspx.
By Dr. Anjaly KTK, BDS
MSM/SE