Forensic odontological examinations of alleged torture victims at the University of Copenhagen 1997-2011

Authors

  • Sára O. Arge University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Forensic Medicine, Section of Forensic Pathology; Frederik V’s Vej 11, 2100 Copenhagen
  • Steen Holger Hansen
  • Niels Lynnerup

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7146/torture.v24i1.109710

Keywords:

torture, forensic odontology, refugee, asylum

Abstract

Background: Clinical forensic examinations of alleged torture victims have been performed by forensic pathologists at the University of Copenhagen since 1995. In 13.2%/33 of these cases, the examinations were supplemented by a forensic odontological clinical examination. In this study, the forensic odontological cases from the years 1997-2011 are presented and discussed.

Methods: This study includes 33 reports from alleged torture victims (4 females, 29 males) who have been examined by a forensic odontologist at the Copenhagen School of Dentistry in the years 1997-2011. The material available consisted of copies of medical forensic reports and the forensic odontological reports including x-rays. Background data, anamnestic data and results of the forensic odontological clinical examinations were registered as well as the conclusion of the clinical examinations.

Findings: The forensic odontological clinical examinations were complicated by the presence of unspecific injuries and various degrees of active oral pathology. In 27 of the cases it was concluded that the findings were consistent with the alleged torture, in six of the cases the findings were concluded to be highly consistent with the alleged torture.

References

1. UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment ("Istanbul Protocol"). 2004.
2. Leth PM, Banner J. Forensic Medical Examination of Refugees Who Claim to Have Been Tortured. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2005; 26(2):125-30.
3. Singh HK, Scott TE, Henshaw MM, Cote SE, Grodin MA, Piwowarczyk LA. Oral health status of refugee torture survivors seeking care in the United States. Am J Public Health. 2008; 98(12):2181-2.
4. Bimer PL. Tandhälsa hos torterade patienter relaterat till tidigare tortyrerfarenhet [Internet]. [accessed 10 November 2012]. Available from: http://www.redcross.se/PageFiles/6209/ TANDH%C3%84LSA%20HOS%20 TORTERADE%20PATIENTER%20RELATERAT%20TILL%20TIDIGARE%20TORTYRERFARENHET%20Pia%20Bimer.pdf
5. Bølling P. Tandtortur. Tandlaegebladet. 1978;571-574.
6. Forrest DM. Examination for the late physical after effects of torture. J Clin Forensic Med. 1999 Mar;6(1):4-13.
7. Forrest D, Knight B, Hinshelwood G, Anand J, Tonge V. A guide to writing medical reports on survivors of torture. Forensic Sci Int. 1995 Nov;76(1):69-75.
8. Scwarz-Nielsen AD. Torturofre – alle tandlæger har haft en i stolen. Tandlaegebladet. 2002 Oct.

Downloads

Published

2018-10-08

How to Cite

Arge, S. O., Hansen, S. H., & Lynnerup, N. (2018). Forensic odontological examinations of alleged torture victims at the University of Copenhagen 1997-2011. Torture Journal, 24(1), 8. https://doi.org/10.7146/torture.v24i1.109710