Forensic dentistry, a little-known field in Turkey, came to the fore with the discovery of tooth marks on Narin’s brother’s arm. After brother Enes Güran, now the tooth samples taken from mother Yüksel Güran are being examined. Working together with the forensic doctor, the forensic dentist helps with identification in murders. Experts state that tooth marks are unique, just like fingerprints. If the deceased person has any dental work such as fillings or missing teeth. This makes identification even easier. During the examination, first of all, it is checked whether the tracks belong to a human or an animal. For this, an angle called “mouth derki” is taken.
SALIVATION IS A MUST
The features used by the forensic dentist in determining the identity include the person’s dental records, radiographs and palate impressions. If the victim is deceased, a photograph of the body is taken, a dental examination is performed and any teeth, fillings and dentures are collected. In the morgue, a diagram is drawn, radiography is taken, a model is prepared and the pieces at the scene are examined. All these processes are compared with the suspect’s data and the investigation is completed.
FILLING OR ANOMALY
Serdar Sütcü, Assistant Dean and Assistant Professor at Cappadocia University Faculty of Dentistry, who has studies on the subject, stated that the presence of congenital anomalies such as crooked teeth facilitates identification in these cases, and added, “Recently applied fillings are also very important. If the marks are larger than 4 cm, we can say they are adult teeth marks, if they are between 2.5-3 cm, we can say they are child teeth marks. he said.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE TIME OF DEATH
When we asked how the marks on Narin’s brother’s arms would be detected, Sütcü said, “The arm is an elastic structure so it renews itself. If the bite results in death, the scars will be permanent, but if the person is alive, the scars will return to their original state. “Time and depth are also important. The marks on her brother’s arm were not important at the first stage. Because Narin could not be found. However, after she was found dead and molds of her teeth were obtained, a more accurate comparison could be made,” he said.
Sütcü made the following statements: “Saliva fluid is taken from the bite area on the arm and this facilitates DNA analysis. If a saliva sample was taken from his brother’s arm in the first place, detection would be easier. Again, if Narin has an orthodontic disorder in her oral structure, this is also an advantage for detection.”
LIKE A FINGERPRINT
“Teeth prints, like fingerprints, are different for everyone” Sütcü said, adding that bite marks are currently more valuable than fingerprints. Drawing attention to the fact that taking photographs of the marks at the scene of the crime is also very important, Sütcü said, “When taking photographs of the marks, an object such as a coin of known diameter should be placed next to them. Because during the photograph, a growth called magnification occurs and it can be difficult to determine the actual size.”
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