The Permanent Identification of Radiographs in Forensic Odontology Journal

Summary

A lead foil sheet, contained in a dental film packet is removed and cut into strips approximately 5 mm. wide. A number of sheets of this lead foil can be included in a forensic dentistry emergency kit. With the use of a ballpoint pen and firm pressure the appropriate name, number or date is scribed on the lead foil. The specimen is placed on an unexposed film packet and the strip of foil is located on a spot free from any tissue. The exposure is made in the usual manner. The processed film will have the data which was recorded on the lead foil incorporated into the film. If a typewriter is available, a sheet of lead foil can be inserted into the typewriter, the machine set at “stencil” and the information typed on the lead foil. The sheet is cut to size and used in the same manner as described previously. To simplify recording when occlusal size dental film is used, a photograph can be taken with the specimen resting on the film pack and the marked lead foil in place. A marking pencil is used to record the specimen number on the film pack. The photograph and radiograph taken in this manner will have the specimen properly identified.