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Outline of forensic dentistry
Journal of Dentistry.
11, No. 4, 1983, pp. 362-366
Printed in Great Britain
Book Reviews OUTLINE OF FORENSIC DENTISTRY. Edited By J. A. Cotton and S. M. Standish. 228 X 150mm. Pp. 178. 1982. London, Year Book. Softback, $16.50. The reviewer of any book is faced with a number of difficulties, which are not always readily apparent to the general reader. It is not just a matter of establishing whether the book is value for money, but rather whether it fultils a need. The editors in their preface have established the fact that there is a need for more education in the field of forensic dentistry, for there are few countries in the world where courses of instruction are readily available to all levels of students. It is against this background that this book has been reviewed. There is no doubt that the editors have gathered about them an impressive array of scholarship, the authors of the various chapters are the established American experts in the field. Generally the layout of the book is good, it has been broken down into chapters dealing with different aspects of the subject, which are themselves carefully labelled with the contents itemized, so that anyone wishing to check a particular point can readily turn to the relevant section. The line drawings used to illustrate some portions of the text are well done and clearly demonstrate the features they are intended to. The photographs are adequate. There is a wealth of information within the text. Any dental reader who was well versed in the contents, would have a very good basic working knowledge of the subject. However, there are some omissions in the text, which could prove an impediment to everyday practice in the field of forensic dentistry. There is, for example, no mention of the use of ultraviolet-light photography in the study of bite marks. Some curious statements are encountered in the text, for example, the one which states that some pathologists prefer to work on embalmed bodies. It would be interesting to enquire of toxicologists what they thought of this. Also no mention of the inclusion of histological reports, or of the need to arrive at conclusions, is made in the description of a medicolegal autopsy report. Finally the suggestion that there is no proofthat Eva Von Braun died in the bunker with Hitler has been established by Strdm and Keiser Neilson. Lastly the impression is gained that before 1978, dental identification was not used in fatal aircraft accident investigations. There is ample evidence in the world literature to show that this is not so. This book is obviously intended for the American market, which may explain why there is a paucity of references to work done by non-American practitioners in the field. This is a serious omission, as this bias has deprived the reader of a wealth of information which he or she could reasonably expect to find in an outline of the topic. Obviously this type of publication is useful to the forensic dentist as a reference volume. Beginners and those with some experience in this field of study will have to seriously consider the cost of this book and decide whether it really fulfils their needs. I. R. Hill
CLINICAL DYSMORPHOLOGY OF ORAL-FACIAL STRUCTURES. By M. Mehrick, E. E. Shields and N. J. Burzynski. 250 X 170mm. Pp. 534. 1982. Bristol, Wright PSG. 234.00. This book, written by 26 contributors of whom 3 have acted as editors, is not one which will immediately appeal to the general dental practitioner or consultant browsing in the bookshop. It does not deal with all the technical details of the treatment of facial skeletal disharmony nor with those required to deal with developmental defects of tooth structure, though both aspects are covered in principle. Its main concern is with an understanding of the biology of craniofacial and dental malformations and general patient management and counselling. The accent is upon aetiology and genetics but many related topics of importance are covered, for example, epidemiology, embryology and cephalometry. Many contributors start conveniently by defining terms and concepts so that those clinicians who studied their basic medical sciences some years ago are reminded of these things. The authors have been chosen with care and not only write knowledgeably about their subject but do so in an interesting way, which holds the attention. While the chapters clearly follow a sequence, each is readable without reference to the others so that the reader can pick the book up and read a single chapter without difficulty. There is a full, indeed generous, list of references at the end of each chapter enabling anyone with a special interest to get a lead into the relevant literature. Undoubtedly this book will appeal most to postgraduate students and particularly those about to start work on a higher degree by thesis in some aspects of craniofacial inheritance, development and growth. Beyond this it should be of substantial general interest particularly to orthodontists and oral surgeons. It is a book which grows upon one as one goes from chapter to chapter and is highly recommended. G. R. Seward
11, No. 4, 1983, pp. 362-366
Printed in Great Britain
Book Reviews OUTLINE OF FORENSIC DENTISTRY. Edited By J. A. Cotton and S. M. Standish. 228 X 150mm. Pp. 178. 1982. London, Year Book. Softback, $16.50. The reviewer of any book is faced with a number of difficulties, which are not always readily apparent to the general reader. It is not just a matter of establishing whether the book is value for money, but rather whether it fultils a need. The editors in their preface have established the fact that there is a need for more education in the field of forensic dentistry, for there are few countries in the world where courses of instruction are readily available to all levels of students. It is against this background that this book has been reviewed. There is no doubt that the editors have gathered about them an impressive array of scholarship, the authors of the various chapters are the established American experts in the field. Generally the layout of the book is good, it has been broken down into chapters dealing with different aspects of the subject, which are themselves carefully labelled with the contents itemized, so that anyone wishing to check a particular point can readily turn to the relevant section. The line drawings used to illustrate some portions of the text are well done and clearly demonstrate the features they are intended to. The photographs are adequate. There is a wealth of information within the text. Any dental reader who was well versed in the contents, would have a very good basic working knowledge of the subject. However, there are some omissions in the text, which could prove an impediment to everyday practice in the field of forensic dentistry. There is, for example, no mention of the use of ultraviolet-light photography in the study of bite marks. Some curious statements are encountered in the text, for example, the one which states that some pathologists prefer to work on embalmed bodies. It would be interesting to enquire of toxicologists what they thought of this. Also no mention of the inclusion of histological reports, or of the need to arrive at conclusions, is made in the description of a medicolegal autopsy report. Finally the suggestion that there is no proofthat Eva Von Braun died in the bunker with Hitler has been established by Strdm and Keiser Neilson. Lastly the impression is gained that before 1978, dental identification was not used in fatal aircraft accident investigations. There is ample evidence in the world literature to show that this is not so. This book is obviously intended for the American market, which may explain why there is a paucity of references to work done by non-American practitioners in the field. This is a serious omission, as this bias has deprived the reader of a wealth of information which he or she could reasonably expect to find in an outline of the topic. Obviously this type of publication is useful to the forensic dentist as a reference volume. Beginners and those with some experience in this field of study will have to seriously consider the cost of this book and decide whether it really fulfils their needs. I. R. Hill
CLINICAL DYSMORPHOLOGY OF ORAL-FACIAL STRUCTURES. By M. Mehrick, E. E. Shields and N. J. Burzynski. 250 X 170mm. Pp. 534. 1982. Bristol, Wright PSG. 234.00. This book, written by 26 contributors of whom 3 have acted as editors, is not one which will immediately appeal to the general dental practitioner or consultant browsing in the bookshop. It does not deal with all the technical details of the treatment of facial skeletal disharmony nor with those required to deal with developmental defects of tooth structure, though both aspects are covered in principle. Its main concern is with an understanding of the biology of craniofacial and dental malformations and general patient management and counselling. The accent is upon aetiology and genetics but many related topics of importance are covered, for example, epidemiology, embryology and cephalometry. Many contributors start conveniently by defining terms and concepts so that those clinicians who studied their basic medical sciences some years ago are reminded of these things. The authors have been chosen with care and not only write knowledgeably about their subject but do so in an interesting way, which holds the attention. While the chapters clearly follow a sequence, each is readable without reference to the others so that the reader can pick the book up and read a single chapter without difficulty. There is a full, indeed generous, list of references at the end of each chapter enabling anyone with a special interest to get a lead into the relevant literature. Undoubtedly this book will appeal most to postgraduate students and particularly those about to start work on a higher degree by thesis in some aspects of craniofacial inheritance, development and growth. Beyond this it should be of substantial general interest particularly to orthodontists and oral surgeons. It is a book which grows upon one as one goes from chapter to chapter and is highly recommended. G. R. Seward