10,August 2024
Do you know that dentists also play an important role in crime investigations? Amazed by this fact? Yes, it is true that dentists also play a crucial role in solving crime mysteries by helping law enforcement agencies. But now the question arises how these people are beneficial for solving cases? Experts of forensic science who specialize in dentistry are known as Forensic Odontologists. They help in identification of the unidentified remains and bite marks to trace a specific individual. These experts are called by the police or the crime branch agencies along with the medical examiners to help in cases that involve dental marks on the body of the deceased or on the victims.
So if you are also someone who is interested in solving crime mysteries by deep understanding of the bite patterns and marks and thus discovering the real identity of the offender and the victims, you should consider entering the field of Odontology. Becoming such an expert requires rigorous efforts and hard work of a candidate and therefore it becomes a tough task. Here in this blog, we have given complete details on how to become a forensic odontologist. Going through this detailed information will answer all your questions and you will not be required to go here and there in search of relevant information.
Who Is A Forensic Odontologist?
Now the foremost question arises who are these people? Forensic odontologists are dental experts who use their dentistry and forensic science knowledge to trace, analyze, and examine the dental evidence collected from a victim or a crime scene to solve the investigations. Forensic Odontology or forensic dentists have helped law enforcement agencies over the years in the identification of the deceased.
You have encountered such cases that involve the body of a victim who is dead or raped women who are in a critical situation such cases are very well solved by these experts. For example, in the Nirbhaya Delhi case, where the victim was severely traumatized and was unable to speak up for her, the bite marks present over her body were reconstructed by these experts and through which their dental imprints were made. Later in this case, these dental prints were compared with those of the suspects, and thus the offenders were caught.
How to Become a Forensic Odontologist?
Forensic Odontology is a specialized field of forensics which is an intersection of dentistry and criminal justice. These experts use their knowledge to analyze dental records and identify people involved in a crime. They often play a crucial role in crime investigations where the police are required to solve cases involving unknown remains or cases of abuse. If you are someone who is fascinated by both the medical and legal fields and wish to make a career in the field of forensic dentistry thus creating a significant impact in society by helping in criminal investigations then it is the perfect field for you. Such candidates should follow this career path since it offers them ample opportunities throughout their professional journey.
Here we have given the complete details on how to become a forensic odontologist:
1. Understand the Role:
Before you make your decision to become a forensic odontologist, you should understand the roles and responsibilities that these professionals play. Since you will be required to work accordingly in your career you should have a deep understanding of what this field is about and its working mechanism.
2. Obtain a Dental Degree:
Once you have understood your role now the next step that needs your attention is to complete your educational qualification in the same discipline. Here we have given the degrees and the certifications that you need to possess as a forensic odontologist:
A. Get a Bachelor’s Degree:
The primary condition that needs to be fulfilled by the candidates to become forensic odontologists is to acquire an undergraduate degree in the field of forensics, biology, chemistry, or pre-dentistry. You can get admission at any reputed college across India offering admission to this course. But before making your applications to the UG program, you need to fulfill the basic eligibility criteria as released by the respective dental college that you are willing to be admitted into. To give you an idea about the same here we have given the complete details on the same:
Eligibility Criteria for a Dental Bachelor’s Degree:
Candidates who wish to get admission into an undergraduate program in the dental courses are first of all required to fulfill the basic eligibility conditions as mentioned by the respective dental college that they aspire to get admission into. Here we have mentioned the conditions you need to fulfill since failure to comply with any of these requirements will lead to failure of your candidature:
- Candidates seeking admission in the bachelor’s program must have passed the 10+2 level examination with a minimum of 50 percent marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology from any recognized board.
- In order to get admission into Government College, aspirants also have to appear for entrance exams like NEET as per the requirements of colleges.
Courses Available:
- Sc. in Forensic Science,
- Bachelor in Dental Science.
B. Pursue Post Graduation:
After completion of your bachelor’s degree now the step is to either start working or to pursue a master’s degree in the same discipline. The whole purpose of opting for post-graduation is to get higher salary packages as compared to those with a bachelor’s degree only. It is because the more degrees and knowledge you have, the higher the package you receive. To get a master’s degree, you need to fulfill the below mentioned eligibility criteria:
Eligibility Criteria For A Dental Post-Graduate Degree:
- Candidates who wish to get admission to a master’s degree must have graduated with a B.Sc. in forensic science or BDS with more than 55 percent marks from a recognized college.
- Just like a bachelor’s degree, students need to appear for entrance tests like NEET MDS, etc to get admission to Government College.
Courses Available:
- Sc. In Forensic Science,
- Master’s In Dental Science,
- Phil In Forensic Science,
- PhD In Forensic Science.
3. Get Certification In Forensics or Dental Course:
Once you are done with the completion of your bachelor’s and master’s degrees, candidates can also opt for pursuing specialized certification courses. Through certification courses, the candidates will get specialized training for their field and will have an upper hand in helping the crime investigation officers to solve the criminal case. The duration of your certificate program can vary from 6 months to 12 months.
4. Stay Updated and Continue Learning:
Forensic odontology is a dynamic field experiencing daily advancements in this field. Therefore it is important for you as a forensic odontology aspirant to stay informed about new techniques, technologies, and legal developments in the legal and forensics field. For this purpose, candidates need to follow the below mentioned steps:
- Attend relevant training and continuing education courses,
- Read scientific journals and forensic publications,
- Engage with your professional community.
5. Ethical and Legal Considerations:
The job of a forensic odontologist is not an easy one and hence you must adhere to high ethical standards and maintain the decorum of your profession. Your work often influences legal outcomes therefore you must take care of the following things:
- Ensure the accuracy of your reporting of findings,
- As a forensic odontologist you will be required to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with utmost care,
- Understand and comply with legal standards that are relevant in the field of forensic odontology.
Becoming a forensic odontologist is a tough task that involves a rigorous educational and training process. But you don’t need to worry about looking at the challenges of this field because the rewards are substantial. As an odontologist you will have the opportunity to contribute significantly to the field of criminal justice, helping the crime investigating officers to solve cases and provide closure to families of the victims. By following these steps, you can pursue a fulfilling career that combines your passion for serving society by using both law and science.
If you are a person who is dedicated, detail-oriented, and driven by a desire to make a difference in society, forensic odontology is the perfect field for you. This field offers a unique and impactful career path for science-oriented candidates so without giving a second thought dive into this field and make a strong and impactful career in the field of your choice.
References
1.https://explorehealthcareers.org/career/forensic-science/forensic-odontologist/#:~:text=A forensic%20odontologist%20must%20first, shadowing%20a%20more% 20senior professional.
2. https://www.careers360.com/courses/forensic- dentistry-course
3. https://hospitalcareers.com/career-paths/how-to- become-a-forensic-odontologist