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KEM forensic odontology expert helps in conviction

This is a first such success for the KEM Hospital forensic odontologist in Mumbai. "This case was reported to us within 24 hours of the incident. She was taken to BYL Nair Hospital's forensic department who referred her to us. We successfully managed to get the impression of the accused teeth and match it," said Dr Hemalata Pandey, forensic odontologist who performed the procedure.

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A forensic odontologist from KEM Hospital, the only such expert in Maharashtra, has helped the city police procure 10 years imprisonment for a rapist by matching bite marks found on a 27-year-old woman from Powai. On the fateful night in January 2014, the victim was raped by a security guard when she was returning home from a dinner party. After the incident, the victim was not able to recollect the episode and with no other evidence available, the police had to rely on the forensic expert.

This is a first such success for the KEM Hospital forensic odontologist in Mumbai. "This case was reported to us within 24 hours of the incident. She was taken to BYL Nair Hospital's forensic department who referred her to us. We successfully managed to get the impression of the accused teeth and match it," said Dr Hemalata Pandey, forensic odontologist who performed the procedure.

In her two years of stint with the KEM Hospital's forensic department, Pandey has seen 12 bite mark cases out of which 11 were of sexual assault. "So far, I have analysed 27 bite marks out of which one bite mark was not related to sexual assault," said Pandey, who is one of the handful of forensic odontologist in the country.

This is Pandey's second victory in the state. Earlier this year, her efforts had helped police get life imprisonment for a rapist and murderer by matching bite marks found on his 14-year-old victim's body to the 34-year-old man's dental profile. The case was from Parbhani.

"One should get the bite mark analysed at the earliest. If the person is alive, normal human tissue starts healing," said Pandey.

The forensic odontology expert played a vital role in proving guilty all the accused in Delhi Gang rape case. Delhi officials had to call the forensic odontology expert from Karnataka as the capital also didn't have an expert then.

Explaining the importance of forensic dentistry in solving criminal cases, Dr Ashith Acharya, the secretary of IAFO said: "The age, sex and sometimes identification of a person can be done within minutes by forensic dentist expert. In comparison, DNA tests takes a few days. It is a welcome decision taken by BMC. Forensic odontology is still unorganised. We don't have recognised course in forensic odontology in India. " Delhi police had sought Dr Acharya's help with dental forensic in Delhi gang rape.

Teeth is the last thing to be destroyed in the human body. While the rest of the body can be burnt at 600 degrees, teeth can be destroyed at nothing less than 1000 degrees. Dr Harish Pathak, head of the forensic medicine department at KEM hospital said, "In mass disasters or criminal cases, it is the teeth which assists in identification. Dr Pandey's inclusion in our department has strengthened our forensic team. Specially when crime against women is a major concern of the state, I am happy that she is helping police in increasing the crime detection and conviction rate. An important part n the work of a forensic odontologist is examining bite marks. These can be applied by the attacker, or by the attacked, and in both cases are very valuable to the investigation."

Forensic odontology, or forensic dentistry, is a branch of forensic science, mostly an identification discipline which deals with the handling, examination of any dental evidence needed in court. Forensic dentists are responsible for six kinds of practice:

Identifying human remains
Identificationsin mass fatalities
Assessment of bite mark injuries
Assessment of cases of abuse – bite marks are very common in these cases
Civil cases involving malpractice
Age estimation

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