“Dispelling the ‘CSI Effect’ Myth, An Overview of Contemporary Forensic Dentistry” & “Dentistry’s Role in the Mass Disaster Scenario/Child Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence Recognition”

Anthony Cardoza, DDS

Dr. Anthony “Rick” Cardoza is a forensic dental consultant for the County of San Diego Office of the Medical Examiner, County of Imperial Office of the Coroner, State of CA Department of Justice and is the Director of the California Dental Identification Team (CalDIT). Dr. Cardoza graduated from Northwestern Dental School in 1985 and maintains a general dental practice in San Diego, California. Dr. Cardoza is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Odontology.

Course Description:

“Dispelling the ‘CSI Effect’ Myth, An Overview of Contemporary Forensic Dentistry”
Because of the current popularity of forensic faire in television, the general public is getting a skewed view of the true nature of forensic investigation. This issue is commonly known as the “CSI effect.” In this seminar, Dr. Cardoza will dispel this myth as it relates to forensic odontology. Topics will include forensic dental identification of decedents of varying postmortem states
including: skeletal, fragmented, decomposed, burned remains and pattern injuries as they relate to bite mark investigation not only in human bites but animal bites as well.
Learning Objectives:
• Learn the varied roles of forensic dentists and how to cooperate with the legal system
• Understand the forensic value of dental records
• Understand forensic dental identification with the use of radiographs and other means
• Understand the various roles forensic dentists participate in with assisting law enforcement and
death investigation agencies
• Understand how dental records in your practice could be used in a forensic dental investigation
“Dentistry’s Role in the Mass Disaster Scenario/Child Abuse and Intimate Partner
Violence Recognition”
In this lecture, Dr. Cardoza will discuss the evolution of mass disaster management from the perspective of forensic dentistry. Learn how forensic dentists have participated in events such
as commercial airline crashes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and wildfires. See how the postmortem record collection has evolved from analog to digital along with the integration of dental postmortem software programs. Also, as dental health care professionals, you are mandated by law to report patients you suspect have signs or symptoms of physical abuse. These patients could be
children, adults, or the elderly. The law assumes that you have had training on recognition of signs of abuse and if you have not, the law requires you to become educated on the subject. This
course will also familiarize you with what those signs may be, and how to properly file a report if you do indeed suspect abuse on a patient.
Learning Objectives:
• Recognize the use of dental records in a mass disaster
• Understand the role of the forensic dentist in a mass fatality
• Recognize signs and symptoms of physical abuse
• Understand what your reporting duties are for a physically abused patient
• How to properly file a report if you do indeed suspect abuse on a patient