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COMPUTERIZED AID TO DENTAL IDENTIFICATION IN MASS DISASTERS

NCJ Number
18591
Journal
Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1975) Pages: 9-19
Author(s)
S L KOGON; K B PETERSEN; J W LOCKE; N O PETERSEN; R G BALL
Date Published
1975
Length
11 pages
Annotation
A COMPUTERIZED DENTAL IDENTIFICATION PACKAGE IS PROPOSED WHICH WILL SORT AND STORE A MAXIMUM OF 500 ANTE-MORTEM DENTAL RECORDS WHICH CAN BE ANALYZED ON-LINE AT A REMOTE MASS DISASTER SITE TO ALLOW FAST VICTIM IDENTIFICATION.
Abstract
THE COMPUTER PROGRAM CAN BE USED ON-SITE, VIA TELEPHONE/ TELETYPE LINK TO THE COMPUTER, TO ELIMINATE ALL IMPOSSIBLE MATCHES AND PRINT A LIST OF POSSIBLE CANDIDATES FOR DENTAL IDENTIFICATION. ALTHOUGH THE FORENSIC DENTIST REMAINS IN COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE ACTUAL IDENTIFICATION PROCEDURE, MUCH OF THE FILING, SORTING AND COMPARING CAN BE DONE EFFICIENTLY AND QUICKLY BY THE COMPUTER. THE PACKAGE, ALREADY TESTED ON DATA FROM AN ACTUAL AIR DISASTER, INCLUDES A PROGRAM DISC TAPE, A USER'S HANDBOOK, AND SPECIALLY DESIGNED POST-MORTEM AND ANTE-MORTEM DENTAL CHARTS, EXAMPLES WHICH ARE PRESENTED IN THE ARTICLE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)