Dental records
During the course of the investigation police will ask for the contact details of a missing person’s dentist in order to obtain their dental records. This is because the configuration of a person’s teeth and dental work done over time is unique to an individual and can be very useful in the identification process.
Teeth are often left intact after a person has died, even if their body has been exposed to the elements teeth are often unaffected. They are very resilient as they are the hardest part of the human body and sometimes in cases where DNA identification is unable to be used, teeth can provide answers.
A missing person’s dental x-rays can be extremely valuable as they can be directly compared to radiographs taken of unidentified human remains for similarities. However, every component of a person’s dental record is important such as treatment records, dental charts, plaster casts or impressions as well as clinical photography.
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DNA testingThis section contains information for close genetic relatives of LTMP who are considering voluntarily providing reference DNA samples.
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FingerprintsFingerprints are a well known method of uniquely identifying a person. Fingerprints are made up of a series of whorls, loops, ridges and arch formations as are the palms of the hands.
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Age progressionThe forensic imaging technique of age progression is used within missing persons cases to provide an insight into a persons appearance many years after their disappearance.