Assistant Professor | Head of the Clinical Forensic Odontology Unit, Head of Pediatric Dentistry Division

Address: College of Dentistry, Second floor, room 2B 23 | Phone: +966(0)11-4677233

Forensic Odontology and Human Rights: Establishing The Identity

Conference Paper
AlQahtani, S. . 2017
Conference Name: 
2nd Saudi International Conference of Forensic Medicine and Science
Conference Location: 
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Conference Date: 
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Publication Abstract: 

Forensic dentistry is the application of dental knowledge to questions of law. In recent years, forensic odontology is deemed to be a reliable method of human identification, which was verified from the application of forensic odontology in both single identification and disaster situations
Human identification is based on providing tangible proof of the identity in question. In cases of deceased bodies, establishing the identity is not just an essential part of the grieving process, thereby bringing closure to the surviving relatives, but also carries within it the essence of human rights.
Legal aspects such as will executions, debt payments, life insurances and remarriage, can only be dealt with when a particular person is certified dead. Moreover, questions regarding circumstances of death can be answered if the identity of the victim is known for the suspects’ list to be establish. No suspect can be charged with a crime until the body of the missing person is found and the identity established. It is generally accepted worldwide that deceased human remains should be identified (INTERPOL, 2009).
A person being missing is a tragedy that is old as time, yet the diverse nature and major impact of this global problem is waiting to be understood. Individuals can go missing as a result of disasters (either man made or natural), armed conflicts, human trafficking, drug related violence, migration or human rights abuses.
In recent years, there has been an improvement in addressing the issue of the missing, particularly following conflicts and disasters. There has also been a corresponding rise in awareness of the need for a concerted international response to the worldwide challenge of missing persons, especially as it goes beyond borders.