University dentist identifies tsunami victims

Following on from the work carried out by Sue Black and Tim Thompson from the Department of Forensic Anthropology, John Drummond, Senior Lecturer and Consultant in Restorative Dentistry at the University Dental School, recently spent time in Phuket, Thailand, applying his forensic dentistry skills to the identification of the deceased.

John, who has been involved in forensic dentistry for over 20 years, explained, "I was asked by the Centre for International Forensic Assistance to join a team of forensic dentists involved in identifying victims of the Tsunami."

The forensic dental team examined the jaws of the victims and undertook chartings and estimated ages after the bodies had been examined by forensic pathologists and a DNA team.

In a separate centre comparisons were made between ante and post-mortem data using a computerised system. Once an identity had been confirmed, a dentist, as final arbiter, made a dental check before the body was released for repatriation. John said, "The majority of identifications were made by dental means, confirming the continued importance of this method. Interestingly, the numbers of ID's made by DNA were relatively low."

He added, "The comradeship and splendid international co-operation allowed us to carry out our tasks with professionalism. All of the teams felt a sense of achievement when we released a body so it could be returned home to relatives. I would like to pay tribute to the people of Thailand who are amongst the friendliest I have ever met. They are showing enormous courage in rebuilding their ravaged but beautiful coastal areas."