An insight into the awareness and utilization of "dental evidence" among the police force in Punjab.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The prime objective of the subsequent investigation is to ascertain the identity of an individual by the evaluation of evidence and facts relevant to crime or disaster. The whole process revolves around the correct interpretation of the facts, reconstruction, and comprehension of the sequence of events and thus single evidence forms a very important piece of information. In most of the countries including India, forensic medical, and dental evaluation at the crime scene are performed by police officials as medical and dental experts are rarely involved as first responders. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This questionnaire-based study is aimed to emphasize the importance of dental evidence in human identification, age and gender determination, and expanding the role of dentistry in criminal investigations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire-based study was conducted among the 350 gazetted and nongazetted police officers posted in Ludhiana (Punjab) commissionerate. It was exploratory in nature. RESULTS: We found that the gazetted officers, postgraduates, and personnel with <20 years of experience revealed that commendable knowledge, positive attitude, and approach for the practical applications of forensic odontology (FO) in routine investigations. CONCLUSION: Dental professionals and law enforcement agencies must go hand in hand so that FO can be utilized to its maximum potential.