Advances in Digital Technologies and Imaging Modalities Transforming Forensic Odontology Practice, Identification Protocols, and the Accuracy of Postmortem Dental Profiling

Abstract

Advances in digital technologies have significantly transformed forensic odontology, improving identification protocols and the accuracy of postmortem dental profiling. The shift from conventional methods to digital workflows incorporating three-dimensional imaging modalities such as cone-beam computed tomography, intraoral scanning, photogrammetry, and virtual reconstruction has enabled more precise documentation and comparison of dental structures. The integration of artificial intelligence further enhances forensic practice by automating antemortem–postmortem matching, age and sex estimation, and pattern recognition, thereby reducing subjectivity and increasing efficiency, particularly in disaster victim identification scenarios. Despite these advancements, challenges remain related to the availability and quality of antemortem records, validation of emerging technologies, ethical considerations, and the need for standardized protocols. Continued research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and international standardization are essential to ensure the reliable and legally defensible application of digital innovations in forensic odontology.