Summary
The general dentist plays a major role in ascertaining and verifying injuries, especially if he or she, works in an emergency department. The initial evaluation is fundamental for the forensic dentist in order to subsequently state a prognosis of the injuries sustained, indicating how long they will take to heal, and the disability related to time away from employment. Further, it is the forensic dentist´s responsibility to evaluate and relate cause of injuries with the criminal offenses being investigated. In this study, updated information about the process is presented of medical injury verification, the injuries report in the Chilean legislation, and the participation of the dentist. The correct preparation of a forensic report of injuries is a medical responsibility that cannot be delegated to another member of the healthcare staff. All dentists must have the ability to generate a first report of injuries, according to society’s legal and ethical requirements. The law states that the professional who completes a forensic report of injuries, can be summoned to trial as a witness, with the purpose of providing direct testimony, and objectively explain what he/she observed in that specific case.
KEY WORDS: forensic dentistry, legislation, maxillofacial injuries.
How to cite this article
LAGOS, T. D. & BRAVO, R. L. Elaboration of the forensic report of dental injuries: Recommendations for the general dentist. Int. J. Odontostomat., 13(3):350-356, 2019.
