Modern Adli Bilimlerde Adli Diş Hekimliğinin Rolü: Uygulamalar, Sorumluluklar ve Ortaya Çıkan Eğilimler

Abstract

Adli diş hekimliği, diş hekimliği bilimini hukuk sistemiyle birleştiren uzmanlaşmış bir alandır ve insan kimliğinin tespiti, yaş tayini, ısırık izi analizi ile istismar ve ihmal vakalarındaki ağız bulgularının değerlendirilmesinde hayati bir rol oynar. Dişler, dayanıklılıkları ve bozulmaya karşı dirençli yapıları sayesinde, özellikle diğer biyolojik materyallerin bulunamadığı durumlarda, adli soruşturmalarda kritik delil olarak sıkça kullanılır. Bu derleme, adli diş hekimliğinin uygulamaları, yöntemleri, yasal yükümlülükleri ve etik sorumluluklarını kapsamlı bir şekilde ele almaktadır. Dental kayıt karşılaştırması, radyografik değerlendirme ve diş dokularından DNA elde edilmesi gibi temel tekniklerin yanı sıra, hem yaşayan hem de ölmüş bireylerdeki ağız yaralanmalarının yorumlanması konularına da değinilmektedir. İncelemenin önemli bir bölümü, bu alanın yasal ve etik boyutlarına ayrılmıştır. Adli diş hekimleri çoğu zaman bilirkişi olarak görev yapmakta ve birçok ülkede çocuk istismarı ya da ihmali şüphesi içeren durumları bildirmekle yasal olarak yükümlüdür. Bu sorumluluk, özellikle hassas ve korunmasız gruplarda görülen travma veya kötü muameleye işaret eden klinik bulguların tanımlanmasını da kapsamaktadır. Ayrıca, derlemede ısırık izi analizi gibi bazı uygulamaların bilimsel güvenilirliğine ilişkin endişelere ve nesnel standartlar, şeffaf yöntemler ve temkinli yorumlara duyulan gereksinime dikkat çekilmektedir. Adli diş hekimliği adli bilimler açısından kritik öneme sahip olmasına rağmen, Türkiye dahil birçok ülkede hâlâ yeterince gelişmemiş bir alandır ve bağımsız bir uzmanlık dalı olarak resmi olarak tanınmamaktadır. Yapılandırılmış eğitim programlarının, akreditasyon yollarının ve kurumsal entegrasyonun eksikliği, bu alanda tutarlı ve güvenilir uygulamaların önünde önemli bir engel oluşturmaktadır. Gelecekte, bu disiplinin bilimsel geçerlilik, eğitim reformu ve yapay zeka ile dijital görüntüleme gibi yeni teknolojilerin entegrasyonunu öncelik haline getirmesi gerekmektedir. Disiplinler arası iş birliği ve etik temelli yaklaşımlar sayesinde, adli diş hekimliği modern adli bilimlere olan katkısını genişletme potansiyeline sahiptir.

Keywords

• Adli Diş Hekimliği
• Adli Bilimler
• İnsan Kimliklendirme
• Yaş Tayini
• Isırık İzi
• Çocuk İstismarı

The Role of Forensic Odontology in Modern Forensic Science: Applications, Responsibilities and Emerging Trends

Abstract

Forensic odontology is a specialized field that integrates dental science with the legal system. It plays a vital role in human identification, age estimation, bite mark analysis, and the assessment of oral findings in cases of abuse and neglect. Teeth often serve as critical evidence in forensic investigations, especially when other biological materials are unavailable. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the applications, methodologies, legal obligations, and ethical responsibilities associated with forensic odontology. It addresses core techniques such as dental record comparison, radiographic evaluation, and DNA extraction from dental tissues, as well as the interpretation of oral injuries in both living and deceased individuals. A significant portion of the review is devoted to the legal and ethical dimensions of the field. Forensic odontologists frequently serve as expert witnesses and are legally mandated to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect in many jurisdictions. This responsibility extends to the identification of clinical findings suggestive of trauma or mistreatment, particularly in vulnerable populations. The review also highlights concerns regarding the scientific reliability of certain practices, such as bite mark analysis, and the need for objective standards, transparent methodologies, and cautious interpretation. Despite its critical forensic value, forensic odontology remains underdeveloped in many countries, including Türkiye, where it is not formally recognized as a distinct specialty. The lack of structured training programs, accreditation pathways, and institutional integration poses a barrier to consistent and reliable practice. Moving forward, the discipline must prioritize scientific validation, educational reform, and the incorporation of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital imaging. Ultimately, strengthening scientific standards, establishing formal specialization pathways, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration will enable forensic odontology to maximize its contribution to modern forensic science.

Keywords

• Forensic Odontology
• Forensic Sciences
• Human Identification
• Age Estimation
• Bite Mark
• Child Abuse

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