Qualifications and
Requirements for
Certification in Forensic Odontology
Application information is at bottom of page
1. GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS
a. Applicants must be persons of good moral character, high integrity, good repute, and must possess high ethical and professional standards.
b. Applicants must possess a D.D.S., D.M.D. or equivalent dental degree from an accredited institution.
2. PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE
a. Applicants must have:
(1) Attended a minimum of four annual meetings of a national forensic/forensic dental organization. No more than one annual meeting can be claimed per year. Additional meetings attended can be claimed in section 2.e.(3), and
(2) Participated in a minimum of two annual programs of a national forensic/forensic dental organization approved by the ABFO Certification Committee. The participation may include presentation of papers, acting as a moderator, panelist on the program, or activities as a chairman or member of a committee of the odontology section. Evidence of these achievements must be documented in a form acceptable to the Certification and Examining Committee (see Item A, Section II, pages 69-70).
b. Applicants must be currently active and formally affiliated with a medical/legal agency such as a medical examiner's or coroner's office, law enforcement agency, insurance agency, or federal dental service for a minimum period of two years.
c. Applicants must observe a minimum of five (5) complete medico-legal autopsies attested to by the pathologist in charge.
d. Applicants must perform a minimum of twenty-five (25) legitimate forensic dental cases which are to include:
1a) A minimum of twenty (20) person identification cases, fifteen (15) of which have resulted in positive dental identification. The applicant must have personally resected or surgically exposed the jaws in at least five (5) cases, and personally taken the post-mortem radiographs in at least ten (10) of the cases.
1b) Jaw exposures/resections or facial dissection performed in conjunction with a multiple fatality incident (i.e. DMORT, state or military ID team deployment) may qualify toward this requirement only if the required procedures were under the supervision of an ABFO Diplomate and/or the ME in charge and are confirmed in writing by this individual. MFI cases by not be included to fulfill the person identification or postmortem radiograph case requirements listed above.
1c) Applicants whose Medical Examiner/Coroner’s facility discourages jaw resections or completes them using non-dental personnel, should either personally seek permission to complete the required number of resections on appropriate cases, or request mentorship in another jurisdiction/facility where he/she might meet this requirement.
(2) a minimum of two (2) bite mark cases, in which the lesion(s) was determined to be a bite mark of human origin and was compared to the suspect's dentition. In at least one (1) of these bite mark cases, the applicant must be the primary investigator or the bite mark and have performed the documentation of the dental evidence.
(3) The remaining three (3) cases can be person identification, bite mark, malpractice, personal injury, human abuse, peer review cases, or other cases of forensic dental interest.
(4) In at least two (2) of the twenty-five (25) legitimate dental cases, the applicant must have provided sworn testimony. The applicant must provide copies of the court transcripts.
Identification or bite mark case reports must include, at minimum: the case number or name, date, jurisdiction where performed, type of case, description, or charting of evidence used for comparison, interpretation, conclusion and signature of the applicant. Each case must be attested to by the soliciting agent. The Certification and Examining Committee determines the acceptability of each case. Candidates are encouraged to submit cases in excess of the minimum number in the event that some are rejected.
Two (2) of the above-mentioned identification or bite mark cases must be submitted in their entirety with complete documentation (write-ups and copies of all comparative material such as photographs, radiographs, study models, etc. as applicable to the case). Theses should be significant and challenging cases that best demonstrate the applicant's knowledge, methodology and capabilities. All submitted materials become the property of the Board and will not be returned. This requirement shall be subject to waiver by the Board only under unusual circumstances such as litigation in progress or military restrictions.
e. Applicants must present other evidence of forensic dental activity. The activities are calculated on the basis of a point system. A minimum of three hundred and fifty (350) points is required. Activities and accomplishments in fulfillment of section 2.a cannot be reclaimed for point credit in this section. It is the responsibility of each applicant to submit documentation of all accomplishments claimed for point credit.
The acceptability and ultimate assignments of points will be at the discretion of the Certification and Examining Committee. It is advisable that the candidate submit material in excess of 350 points. The 350 points are to be accumulated as follows:
1. Twenty (20) points for each authentic forensic dental case in excess of the 25 obligatory cases mentioned in 2.d.. The maximum number of cases that will be considered for point credit in this area is 5, maximum 100 points.
2. Twenty (20) points per court deposition or testimony (in excess of the two (2) mandatory cases mentioned in 2.d-4). Transcripts must accompany the application. The maximum number of transcripts that will be considered for point credit in this category is five (5), for a maximum of one hundred (100) points.
3. One (1) point per hour for attendance at a formal, institutional elective or continuing education course in forensic dentistry or a formal scientific session at an annual meeting of a nationally recognized forensic science organization. Certificates or other verification of course attendance must be submitted. A maximum of 100 points can be claimed in this area.
4. Twenty-five (25) points for presenting an original lecture or laboratory demonstration at a formal session of a recognized forensic science organization, a dental association meeting, or institutional course in forensic dentistry. Abstracts, course brochures or other verification are to be supplied to the Board for point credit. A maximum of 100 points can be claimed in this area.
5. Up to fifty (50) points for the publication of a forensic dental article in a refereed scientific journal or workbook, with a reprint sent to the Certification and Examination Committee. The determination of the point count will be made by the Certification Committee based upon, in part, the nature and content of the article and the journal in which it was published. A maximum of twenty-five (25) points will be awarded for a second of other collaborating author.
6. Twenty (20) points per year for the formal affiliation with a recognized medical/legal agency (beyond the obligatory two years as listed in 2.b.). An affidavit from the authorized agent must be included. A maximum of 60 points may be claimed in this category.
7. Forty (40) points maximum for the organization of or participation in a mass disaster team or symposium. The points are to be divided as follows: 25 points for organizing and directing the exercise; 1 point per hour for attending the exercise, (up to a maximum of 15 points).
8. Twenty-five (25) points for chairing or ten (10) for serving on an odontology committee of a recognized forensic organization or a similar position on a local, state or federal dental organization acceptable to the Board. Maximum point count of 100.
The application must reach the ABFO's registrar's desk before January 1st to be considered for the subsequent examination.
3. EXAMINATIONS
a. Applicants who meet the requirements and qualification set forth in Sections 1. and 2. and pay the required fees (see Sxn. II, page 65 and 67) shall, upon acceptable review of the Certification and Examining Committee, be granted "Board eligible" status. This will allow the applicant to be admitted to a comprehensive written and oral examination. Applicants remain eligible to undergo examination for a period of two and a half (2.5) years after eligibility status is conferred. Failure to take the examination within the 2.5 years of being notified of "Board eligible" status will annul such status and the applicant will have to re-apply for "Board eligible" status, providing the required documentation and by repaying the application fee. The status of "Diplomate" can be conferred only after the applicant has received passing grades on the written and oral examination and has been approved by the Board of Directors.
b. An applicant who fails to pass the examination may apply within one (1) year for re-examination with the payment of additional fees (see Sxn. II, page 67). After unsuccessful re-examination an applicant must file a new application and repay the application and examination fees.
Procedure for Application and Certification
1. Application forms and instructions for their submission can be obtained from:
The American Board of Forensic Odontology, Inc.
c/o The Forensic Sciences Foundation, Inc.
410 North 21st Street
Colorado Springs, Colorado
U.S.A. 80904-2798Telephone: (719) 636-1100
2. Applications for the certification programs must be submitted on the form(s) provided by the Board and should be returned to the Board in full compliance with the instructions furnished and must be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee.
3. The applicant must arrange for submission of an official transcript of his/her academic record from every institution of higher education attended. Such transcripts must be submitted directly by the registrar of each institution to the Board.
4. Every application must also be supported by letters of recommendation from three (3) persons qualified to judge the applicant's character and professional competence in forensic odontology. Such letters are to be sent directly by the sponsors to the Board.
5. The completed application, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, application fee and all other material must be received by the Board before January 1 in order for it to be considered for the examination in the same calendar year. The examination date and site are selected by the Certification and Examining Committee in February providing there is a sufficient number of "Board eligible" candidates to hold an examination. No candidate will be required to wait more than 2.5 years to undergo examination after being declared "Board eligible". The Certification and Examining Committee reviews applications and notifies applicants of their "Board eligible" status at least ninety (90) days before the examination. Such candidates will receive general information about the nature of the examination followed by specific details. If an application is deemed incomplete, a letter specifying the deficiencies will be sent to the applicant. If these can be remedied before May 1 of the same calendar year, the applicant may have the opportunity to sit for the examination at the discretion of the Certification and Examining Committee. In unusual circumstances the Certification and Examining Committee may grant an extension beyond normal submission deadlines and schedule and examination at its discretion while providing a ninety (90) day notice to "Board eligible" candidates.
6. An examination fee is to be paid within thirty (30) days of the time an applicant is notified of his/her "Board eligible" status. This fee is non-refundable except for medical or other catastrophic reasons, in which case all but 1/3 of the examination fee will be refunded.
7. Diplomates of the American Board of Forensic Odontology are required to pay an annual fee determined by the Board.