Forensic Substance Exposure

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Dental hard tissue possesses a unique property to sustain in susceptible conditions, and this resistance to physical, chemical, and biological effects retains traces within. Forensically, it could lead to the identification of vital information through a detailed examination and analysis of the tooth. Substance exposure is one of the significant findings that can be retrieved from teeth, which is detailed in this study. 

Drugs that can be sold legally, possessed, and used, although often with certain restrictions, such as tobacco, alcohol, over the counter and prescription medicines.

Substances not legally controlled but that may face formal or informal restrictions in preparation, sale, or use. They include substances that are lawful to possess with a medical prescription but are used illicitly for non-medicinal purposes. 

There are several situations where human teeth encounter chemical substances, including certain dental procedures. In addition, a person suffering from bulimia nervosa (self-induced vomiting) often experiences a variety of oral complications. The workplace exposure of employees exposed to commercial chemicals impacts their health, thereby putting them at high risk. The chemicals are classified as acidic or alkali, depending on their pH. 

Earth’s crust is composed of heavy metals and chemical elements that naturally occur in abundance. The toxicity of these elements can manifest in a range of clinical signs and symptoms, often depending on the level and duration of exposure. Teeth, as resilient biological tissues, can act as long-term reservoirs for heavy metals and other elements, providing valuable insights into a person’s exposure history. By examining dental tissues, forensic experts can uncover evidence of both acute and chronic exposure, helping to piece together potential sources of contamination and their impact on health.