An odontogram is used to compare postmortem data with what records?

• A. Antemortem records
• B. Postmortem notes
• C. Medical imaging from CT
• D. Criminal records

Answer: (A)

In forensic odontology, an odontogram is a detailed, graphic record of the teeth that allows a postmortem dentition to be directly compared with records kept while the person was alive. The records you compare to are antemortem dental records—things like dentist charts, radiographs, and treatment histories from before death. By matching features such as tooth number, restorations, missing teeth, caries, crowns, bridges, implants, and root canals between the postmortem chart and the antemortem records, investigators can establish a positive identity with a high degree of confidence. Postmortem notes or imaging obtained after death don’t provide the pre-death dentition needed for this comparison, and criminal records don’t contain dental information relevant to this purpose.