NCJ Number
172056
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 42 Issue: 3 Dated: (May 1997) Pages: 492-495
Date Published
1997
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Video image capture was used in the case described to match dental peculiarities of the skeletonized victim to a family video of the suspected victim in which a smile revealed a dental pattern identical to that found in the skeleton.
Abstract
The skeletonized, decomposed remains of a young child were found in an attic crawl-space of an apartment complex in April 1995 in Knoxville, Tenn. Although the identity of the decedent was suspected, the condition of the remains, absence of dental and medical records, and the lack of a recent photograph prevented the use of standard identification techniques. Radio graphic examination demonstrated a Class III malocclusion in the dental structure of the victim. The frequency of Class III occlusal events among 3-to 5-year-olds is between 3 and 5 percent. Two videotapes filmed 6 weeks prior to the suspected victim's disappearance in 1992 became the antemortem evidence used in identification. Because the individual displayed several prolonged smiles revealing teeth, there was sufficient evidence for comparison to the skeletal remains. Overlaying transparent dental tracings from the digitized skeletal remains onto selected frames of the videotape and reversing this process produced the identification and hastened the investigation. At this writing, investigators are awaiting results of DNA bone analysis; meanwhile, a juvenile has pleaded guilty to the abduction and murder of the victim. 7 figures and 15 references