Dental records in the Nordic countries
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71388/apollonia.181321Abstrakti
Forensic dental identification relies on comparing the post mortem dental data of an unknown deceased individual with the ante mortem data of a missing person, necessitating comprehensive and accurate dental records. These records encompass written notes, images, casts, and digital scans. While written records can be subjective and prone to errors, particularly during periods with a high workload, images like radiographs and photographs provide objective evidence that is crucial for identification. Effective identification benefits from a combination of written records and accessible images, casts, and scans.
In mass casualties with victims from many different countries, discrepancies in dental record-keeping due to language and regulatory differences pose challenges, underscoring the importance of standardised records and international collaboration. The Nordic countries maintain high standards in dental record-keeping, emphasising the inclusion of patient identification details, diagnoses, treatment information, and dated entries for forensic purposes, and all records must be preserved for a specified period as regulated by national laws.
In the Nordic countries, police access to dental records for identification purposes is regulated vigorously to ensure confidentiality. Collaborative international efforts remain critical in streamlining forensic identification processes.
