QUALITY EVALUATION OF 10 YEARS PATIENT RECORDS IN FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY

In forensic odontology, accurate detailed and complete recording of an te-mortem information is essential as the basis for odontological iden tification. Earlier studies on malpractice cases in Sweden indicated t hat the quality of the recording procedure was not always acceptable. Therefore, the aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the quality of ante-mortem records and its possible implications for ident ification work. All forensic odontology cases referred to the Departme nt of Forensic Medicine in Goteborg between 1983 and 1992 were studied with regard to the instructions for dental records from the National Board Of Health and Welfare. Information on dental characteristics, no rmal anatomical findings and restorative treatment was complete in 43 (68%) of the cases, incomplete in 17 (27%) and missing in 3 (5%). Regi stration of previous therapy was missing in about 75 (94%) of the reco rds. It was possible to identify patient radiographs in only 16 of the 40 records where radiographs were available. In spite of this, the in accuracies in the records did not seem to hamper the identification pr ocedures in this study which could be explained by the character of th e cases and the availability of medical and circumstantial information .