Forensic Dental Evidence: An Investigator's Handbook

by C. Michael Bowers D.D.S., J.D. (Editor)

Overview

Forensic Dental Evidence: An Investigators Handbook highlights the discussion regarding unjust convictions caused by inaccurate bitemark opinions. The book focuses on cases that use forensic techniques, emphasizing modern methods and protocols. Through this book, the latest information available is offered to the forensic community.

This book demonstrates expertise in forensic dentistry by presenting chapters on human identification in domestic and international situations; investigations on missing person and violent crimes against persons; mass-disaster planning and disaster response; and new threats from terrorist attacks on urban centers. Furthermore, it discusses topics regarding bitemark evidence, such as forensic photography, analysis and legal issues. The book also presents two chapters on new scientific topics: The Next Level in Victim Identification: Materials Properties as an Aid in Victim Identification; and DNA for First Responders: Recognizing, Collecting, and Analyzing Biological Evidence Related to Dentistry (chapters 3 and 8, respectively).

This book is suited to anyone seeking knowledge on forensic dentistry; it will be of great value to investigators, lawyers, medical examiners, nurses, and dentists with an interest in forensic dental cases.

• Contributions by internationally recognized and experienced forensic experts cover missing persons cases and mass disaster cases from around the world
• Contains over 200 full-color photographs of crime scene evidence, human identification cases and bitemark details
• Includes many new exoneration cases derived from the Editor's work with the Innocence Project

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780123820013
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	09/14/2010
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	368
File size:	21 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

C. Michael Bowers is an Associate Clinical Professor at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. He is also the Deputy Medical Examiner in Ventura, California. Dr. Bowers is a practicing forensic dentist and consultant who has testified and worked on hundreds of cases where dental evidence has been involved. He is a former Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Odontology, a Senior Crime Scene Analyst for the International Association for Identification (IAI) and has written other articles, chapters and books on forensic dentistry. He owns and operates his own dental practice in Ventura, CA.

Table of Contents

1. Historical Dental Investigations 2. Dental Detectives 3. The Next Level in Victim Identification: Materials Properties as an Aid in Victim Identification 4. Forensic Dentistry Investigation Protocols 5. Recognition, Documentation, Evidence Collection and Interpretation of Bitemark Evidence 6. Bitemarks in England and Wales 7. Legal Issues Concerning Bitemark Evidence in the United States 8. DNA for First Responders: Recognizing, Collecting and Analyzing Biological Evidence Related to Dentistry 9. Missing/Unidentified Persons: The National Crime Information Center Dental Enhancements 10. The Disaster Victim Identification: Its General Structure and the Swiss Involvement 11. Recognizing, Documenting and Analyzing Physical Evidence in Abuse Cases 12. Managing a Mass Fatality Incident 13. Identifying Victims of 9/11 at the Office of Chief Medical Examiner New York City 14. Australasian and Multinational Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) 15. Photography and Forensic Dental Evidence 16. The Use of Digital Imaging in Human Identification and Crime Scene Analysis

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Provides the necessary tools and practical suggestions for forensic scientists and investigators charged with analysis of a crime scene

Editorial Reviews

"This book, really more impressively a treatise, leaves no (dental) stone unturned in explicating the history, the savoir faire, the investigative potential, the litigation and the research firmly establishing the foundations of dental identifications in the firmament of the forensic sciences." —James E Starrs, Professor Emeritus of Law & Forensic Sciences, The George Washington University

"Forensic Dental Evidence: An Investigator's Handbook is a must-read for all participants in the criminal justice system—judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, investigators and police, to name a few—as well as all forensic odontologists. C. Michael Bowers, one of the world's most renowned forensic dental experts, draws upon a wealth of his expertise and that of others to put forth in a highly accessible book information and guidance that will surely prevent misidentifications and wrongful convictions." —Maurice Possley, Northern California Innocence Project at Santa Clara University Law School, Santa Clara, CA; Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist

"...this book comprehensively covers concepts and protocols necessary for criminal investigation involving dental evidence and will be of educational value and interest to many categories of reader. It is practical, up to date, informative, well-illustrated and appropriately cautionary." —Judith A Hinchliffe, Independent Forensic Odontologist, New Zealand in Journal of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology, 2011

From the Publisher