[The crucial role of forensic odontology in the IDF].

Abstract

Israel's recent military engagements have been asymmetric in nature, defining the captivity of a solider as the enemy's' strategic achievement. Casualty care during war, is a delicate mission, requiring the collaboration of 3 distinct corps - the medical corps, chaplaincy corps and the adjutant corps. In this article, we will review the crucial role forensic odontologists play in the identification of casualties. In addition to biometric identification which is carried out through DNA analysis, fingerprint co-matching and forensic odontology, the forensic battalion of the medical corps investigates the cause of death, delivering crucial information to different branches of the military.