OSAC 2023-N-0025 Standard for Education and 

 Training in Forensic Odontology

1

OSAC 2023-N-0025 

Standard for Education and 

Training in Forensic 

Odontology 

Forensic Odontology Subcommittee 

Medicine Scientific Area Committee 

Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science 

 
OSAC 2023-N-0025 Standard for Education and 

 Training in Forensic Odontology

2

DRAFT OSAC Proposed Standard 

OSAC 2023-N-0025 

Standard for Education and Training 

in Forensic Odontology 

Prepared by 

Forensic Odontology Subcommittee 

Version 1.0 

September 2023 

Disclaimer 

The Forensic Odontology Subcommittee wrote this OSAC Proposed Standard of the Organization 

of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science following a process that includes an 

open comment period. This Proposed Standard will be submitted to a standard-developing 

organization and is subject to change. 

There may be references in an OSAC Proposed Standard to other publications under development 

by OSAC. The information in the Proposed Standard, and underlying concepts and methodologies, 

may be used by the forensic-science community before the completion of such companion 

publications. 

Any identification of commercial equipment, instruments, or materials in the Proposed Standard 

is not a recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Government and does not imply that the 

equipment, instruments, or materials are necessarily the best available for the purpose. 

 
OSAC 2023-N-0025 Standard for Education and 

 Training in Forensic Odontology

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Foreword 

This document is a draft of a standard developed by the Subcommittee of the Organization of 

Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science. 

The following applies to this document: 

The term 'shall' indicates that a provision is mandatory and can be audited for compliance. 

The term 'should' indicates that a provision is not mandatory but recommended as good practice. 

All hyperlinks and web addresses shown in this document are current as of this Standard's 

publication date. 

Keywords: forensic odontology, training, education, minimum requirements 

 
OSAC 2023-N-0025 Standard for Education and 

 Training in Forensic Odontology

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Table of Contents 

Background Page 5 

1. Scope Page 5 

2. Normative References Page 5 

3. Terms and Definitions Page 5 

4. Forensic Odontologist, US Page 6 

5. The Practice of Forensic Odontology Page 6 

6. Education and Training in Forensic Odontology Page 7 

7. Knowledge of Forensic Odontology Foundational Skills Page 7

8. Knowledge of the Use of Forensic Odontology Equipment Protocols Page 8 

9. Knowledge of Craniofacial Anatomy, Anthropology, and Pathology Page 8 

10. Knowledge of Gathering, Documenting, and Maintaining Forensic 

Odontology Evidence Page 8 

11. Knowledge of Human Identification by Comparative Dental Analysis Page 8 

12. Knowledge of Participating in Mass Fatality Incident Management 

Protocols Page 8 

13. Knowledge of Suspected Pattern of Dental Origin Page 8 

14. Knowledge of Human Age Assessment by Dental Analysis Page 9 

15. Knowledge of Human Abuse Page 9 

16. Knowledge of Function as an Expert Witness Page 10 

17. Knowledge of Professional, Ethical, and Legal Responsibilities Page 10 
OSAC 2023-N-0025 Standard for Education and 

 Training in Forensic Odontology

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1 Background 

2

3 There are currently no regulatory mandatory educational requirements for practicing forensic 

4 odontology within the field of dentistry. In addition, because there are so few graduate-level 

5 programs within the field, advanced education is acquired through multiple educational 

6 channels, in service, training, and experience. The goal of the document is to outline the 

7 minimum educational topics and prerequisites that should be covered/achieved to allow the 

8 practitioner to obtain the necessary baseline knowledge required to practice components of 

9 forensic odontology successfully. 

10

11 1. Scope 

12

13 This document specifies the minimum educational requirements needed to practice forensic 

14 odontology. 

15

16 Note to Scope: This document does not define legal requirements, best practices, 

17 implementation, certification, or proficiency testing in forensic odontology. 

18

19 2. Normative References 

20

21 There are no normative references. 

22

23 3. Terms and Definitions 

24

25 3.1 Education 

26

27 Process by which an individual or group of people conveys, transfers, or obtains knowledge 

28 about a subject or concept (ISO 30422:2022). 

29

30 Note 1 to entry: Education generally refers to an academic form of learning that is distinct from 

31 training (3.4), which generally refers to work-related learning processes. 

32

33 3.2 Experience 

34

35 Knowledge or skill acquired over time through practical contact with and observation of facts 

36 or events (ISO/TS 10303-1243:2004). 

37

38 3.3 Qualification 

39

40 Demonstrated education, training, and work experience, where applicable (ISO/IEC 

41 17024:2012). 

42 
OSAC 2023-N-0025 Standard for Education and 

 Training in Forensic Odontology

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43

44 3.4 Training 

45

46 Development of skills and/or understanding through procedurally defined learning activities 

47 focused on a specific application (ISO/IEC 2382-36:2008). 

48

49 3.5 Credential 

50

51 Prerequisite issued evidence for the entitlement of, or the eligibility for, a role (ISO 22600-

52 2:2014). 

53

54 3.6 License 

55

56 Permission or proof of permission granted to a system participant by a competent authority to 

57 exercise a right which would otherwise be disallowed or unlawful (ISO 19132:2007). 

58

59 3.7 Forensic Odontology 

60

61 Part of dentistry which deals with the examination, interpretation, and presentation of dental 

62 and oral evidence for legal purposes (ISO 1942:2020). 

63

64 3.8 Dentist 

65

66 A person licensed by a regulatory body to practice dentistry (ISO 1942:2020). 

67

68 4. Forensic Odontologist, US 

69

70 A dentist licensed by a regulatory body to practice forensic odontology. 

71

72 5. The Practice of Forensic Odontology 

73

74 The application of dentistry to legal issues including but not limited to: 

75

76 a) Human identification by comparative dental analysis 

77 b) Analysis of the suspected pattern(s) of dental origin 

78 c) Human age assessment by dental analysis 

79 d) Dental litigation (fraud, malpractice, personal injury) 

80 e) Oral and facial injuries 

81 f) Human abuse and neglect 

82

83 The practice of forensic odontology is a discipline of dentistry that involves the following: 

84

85 a) Maintenance and management of dental information pertaining to all aspects of the 

86 forensic odontology casework 

87 b) Identification of human remains by source comparison of antemortem and postmortem 

88 dental information 
OSAC 2023-N-0025 Standard for Education and 

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89 c) Assessment, collection, and documentation of evidence for suspected patterned injuries 

90 of dental origin 

91 d) Assessment, collection, and documentation of evidence for oral and perioral 

92 manifestations of human abuse 

93 e) Dental age assessment of an individual 

94 f) Evaluation and reporting of dental evidence as an expert witness 

95

96 6. Education and Training in Forensic Odontology

97

98 The American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) serves 

99 the public and the profession by developing and implementing accreditation standards that 

100 promote and monitor dental education programs' continuous quality and improvement. 

101 Currently, CODA has not set specific guidelines for forensic odontology. Therefore, those 

102 who render a forensic odontology opinion shall have the additional education, experience, 

103 qualification, training, credentials, and licensing requirements to render such an opinion. 

104

105 The required elements are taught under the direction of competent and qualified entities, 

106 following approved educational guidelines. Training should be conducted with 

107 representatives of both the prosecution and defense bar. 

108

109 When the term "knowledge" is used below, a compliant education and training program is 

110 expected to provide the trainee with a deeper understanding of each required element rather 

111 than just a cursory knowledge of each required element's existence. Therefore, the 

112 competent and qualified entities teaching these required elements shall equip the trainee 

113 with the proper knowledge level—whether it be factual, conceptual, procedural, or self114 awareness—as determined by the qualified teaching entity. 

115

116 This document outlines specific coursework topics but does not specify the didactic or 

117 practical portion of the curriculum. In addition, these educational requirements could be 

118 applied to other dental care providers. However, the services they provide are limited by 

119 state licensure regulations. 

120

121 7. Knowledge of Forensic Odontology Foundational Skills: 

122 

123 a) Foundational skills in general dentistry 

124 b) Knowledge of the scope and history of forensic odontology

125 c) Knowledge of current approved standards/guidelines/policies in forensic odontology 

126 d) Knowledge of other forensic science disciplines 

127 e) Knowledge of the legal system 

128 f) Knowledge of electronic resources (internet, databases, etc.) 

129 g) Knowledge of photographic techniques 

130 
OSAC 2023-N-0025 Standard for Education and 

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131

132 8. Knowledge of the Use of Forensic Odontology Equipment Protocols: 

133 

134 a) Knowledge of the use of dental radiography 

135 b) Knowledge of the use of dental photography 

136 c) Knowledge of the use of dental and forensic odontology computer hardware 

137 d) Knowledge of the use of dental and forensic odontology computer software 

138 e) Knowledge of cybersecurity protocols and secure messaging techniques 

139

140 9. Knowledge of Craniofacial Anatomy, Anthropology, and Pathology: 

141

142 a) Knowledge of craniofacial anatomy, anthropology, and pathology 

143 b) Knowledge of cultural/environmental/socioeconomic effects on orofacial structures 

144 c) Knowledge of biological profile techniques and methods 

145

146 10. Knowledge of Gathering, Documenting, and Maintaining Forensic Odontology Evidence: 

147 

148 a) Knowledge of how to maintain the chain of custody 

149 b) Knowledge of how to recognize and manage forensic evidence 

150 c) Knowledge of how to create case documentation 

151 d) Knowledge of how to create a forensic odontology case report 

152

153 11. Knowledge of Human Identification by Comparative Dental Analysis: 

154

155 a) Knowledge of craniofacial identification 

156 b) Knowledge of antemortem and postmortem data collection and dental autopsy 

157 techniques 

158 c) Knowledge of dental numbering, charting, and coding systems 

159 d) Knowledge of dental identification software and matching algorithms 

160 e) Knowledge of how to evaluate, assess, and report of dental source conclusions 

161

162 12. Knowledge of Participating in Mass Fatality Incident Management Protocols: 

163 

164 a) Knowledge of the mass fatality identification team and chain of command 

165 b) Knowledge of inter-agency interaction 

166 c) Knowledge of scene protocols and organization of tasks 

167

168 13. Knowledge of Suspected Pattern of Dental Origin: 

169 

170 Note: The admissibility as evidence of suspected patterns of dental origin varies from 

171 jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The inclusion of this knowledge requirement should NOT be 

172 considered an endorsement of the practice but rather to ensure that the odontologist is 

173 aware of failures concerning bitemarks. To appropriately respond to the recognition of 

174 these pattern injuries, the forensic odontologist must understand the theory and techniques 

175 involved to assess the usefulness and limitations of the procedures. 

176 a) Knowledge of suspected pattern(s) of dental origin terminology 
OSAC 2023-N-0025 Standard for Education and 

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177 b) Knowledge of assessing the alleged pattern of dental origin data and understanding its 

178 limitations 

179 c) Knowledge of DNA collection protocols 

180 d) Knowledge of documenting, imaging, and assessing the suspected pattern of dental 

181 origin characteristics protocols 

182 e) Knowledge of documenting substrate information 

183 f) Knowledge of assessing and documenting the presence of class characteristics 

184 g) Knowledge of assessing and documenting the presence of individual characteristics for 

185 non-comparative purposes 

186 h) Knowledge of current prohibition of source conclusion in assessing the suspected 

187 pattern of dental origin data 

188 i) Knowledge of appropriate methodology for the collection of data from suspected 

189 sources for source exclusion (if applicable) 

190 j) Knowledge of reporting the evaluation and assessment of the suspected pattern of 

191 dental origin and limitations of current techniques (if required) 

192

193 14. Knowledge of Human Age Assessment by Dental Analysis: 

194 

195 Note: The techniques and admissibility of human age assessment by dental analysis: vary 

196 from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The inclusion of this knowledge requirement is neither an 

197 endorsement nor a repudiation of the practice. It is simply a requirement that the forensic 

198 odontologist understands the theory and techniques involved to assess the usefulness and 

199 limitations of the procedures and, if applicable, their conclusions. 

200

201 a) Knowledge of human age assessment by dental analysis 

202 b) Knowledge of the difference between age estimation and age assessment 

203 c) Knowledge of the use of dental staging charts with respective published reference 

204 studies 

205 d) Knowledge of the recognized differences between identifiable human groups and 

206 dental age estimation techniques 

207 e) Knowledge of and the ability to demonstrate age estimation techniques as well as their 

208 limitations 

209 f) Knowledge of the use of multiple techniques for age estimation, when available 

210 g) Knowledge of non-dental age assessment techniques 

211 h) Knowledge of the appropriate reporting of human age assessment by dental analysis 

212

213 15. Knowledge of Human Abuse: 

214

215 a) Knowledge of oral and perioral manifestations of abuse and neglect, including sentinel 

216 injuries 

217 b) Knowledge of how to evaluate, assess, and report oral and perioral manifestations of 

218 abuse and neglect 

219 
OSAC 2023-N-0025 Standard for Education and 

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220

221 16. Knowledge of Function as an Expert Witness: 

222 a) Knowledge of the expert witness qualification under Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of 

223 Evidence or the expert witness rules in the case's jurisdiction. 

224 b) Knowledge of assessing the value of a case 

225 c) Knowledge of formulating claims, counterclaims, and defenses 

226 d) Knowledge of drafting discovery requests and responses 

227 e) Knowledge of reviewing legal documents as well as dental charts 

228 f) Knowledge of challenging the other side's experts 

229 g) Knowledge of developing and refining case strategy 

230 h) Knowledge of identifying, evaluating, and calculating damages 

231 i) Knowledge of evaluating and responding to opposing claims and theories 

232 j) Knowledge of aiding in fact finder through trial testimony 

233

234 For training on what content should be included in case files and reports under this 

235 Standard, please review documents developed by the OSAC Legal Task Group on case file 

236 documentation and reports. 

237

238 17. Knowledge of Professional, Ethical, and Legal Responsibilities: 

239

240 Note: Forensic Science Service Providers should not take it upon themselves to determine 

241 the correct description of rules of evidence and case law. Instead, they should rely on legal 

242 experts to determine the content of this training. 

243

244 a) Knowledge of civil litigation case procedures 

245 b) Knowledge of criminal litigation case procedures 

246 c) Explain "expert's" roles and responsibilities 

247 d) Cite rules of evidence and case law (e.g., Daubert, Frye) 

248 e) Knowledge of Brady and other disclosure obligations in a criminal case 

249 f) Create trial exhibits 

250 g) Present sworn testimony 

251 h) Demonstrate knowledge of professional ethics 

252 i) Demonstrate knowledge of proper sworn testimony and the ethical limitations of 

253 allowable testimony 

254 j) Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical creation of trial exhibits 

255 k) Demonstrate professional media interaction 

256 l) Describe the importance of confidentiality 

257 m) Describe the importance of continuing professional education 

258 n) Recognize Standard of Care issues