The role of the dentofacial apparatus in forensic identification of the deceased with blast injury

Abstract

Blast injuries of the oral cavity are not limited to fractures or tooth loss - they may have more severe consequences: morphological, functional, and aesthetic. This issue becomes extremely important during wartime, when the dentofacial area becomes key in forensic identification of fallen soldiers. The injuries are often accompanied by multiple dislocations, damage to the alveolar process (processus alveolaris), and deformations of dental arches. Moreover, it is precisely the condition of the teeth, orthopedic constructions, and radiographs that makes it possible to establish identity in the absence of other biological features. The purpose of the study is to consider the anatomical and clinical aspects of damage to teeth and alveolar structures in blast trauma and the role of dental features in the process of identifying the deceased