DENTAL EVIDENCE IN FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY AND HISTORICAL IDENTIFICATION

Dental evidence plays a crucial role in forensic anthropology and historical identification due to the durability, individuality, and biological informativeness of human teeth. Throughout history, dental remains have been used to identify individuals, reconstruct population histories, and interpret social, cultural, and biological aspects of past societies. This article examines the significance of dental evidence in forensic anthropology and historical identification, focusing on methods of analysis, types of dental indicators, and their application in archaeological and medico-legal contexts. Drawing upon bioarchaeological research, forensic case studies, and historical investigations, the study demonstrates that dental evidence is one of the most reliable tools for individual identification and population-level interpretation. The findings highlight the continuity between ancient dental analysis and modern forensic dentistry, emphasizing the interdisciplinary value of dental science in understanding both past and present human identity.