Dental identification using digital images via computer network

Dental identification is a useful scientific method. In Japan, however, the re are only a few forensic odontologists; moreover, until now, forensic den tal services have only been offered by general dentists. These dentists may nor be able to offer such forensic services during office time. For a quic k comparison, the authors tried sending digital photos, taken with a 2-mill ion-pixel digital camera, to dental offices via the Internet. If a dental o ffice has Internet access, it is possible for dental charting to be sent di rectly to the autopsy room. Of course, digital images only provide the firs t outline. However, when antemortern dental records of the person in questi on are available at autopsy, a quick comparison can be made.