[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-seo-323511-105":3,"doc-detail-323511-en":81,"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":98},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"ok",{"site_id":7,"language":8,"slug":9,"title":10,"keywords":11,"description":12,"schema_data":13,"social_meta":74,"head_meta":76,"extra_data":78,"updated_unix":80},105,"en","the-norton-technique-for-dental-identification","THE “NORTON TECHNIQUE” FOR DENTAL IDENTIFICATION","","“Norton technique” outlines a practical method for dental identification when forensic odontologists are unavailable or when bodies are badly burned or decomposed. It uses common medical examiner X-ray equipment to obtain comparable post-mortem dental X-rays, emphasizing reproducible frontal and “bite wing” views. The procedure describes how to saw and position jaw segments, secure them for imaging, and adjust angles with simple spacers, producing consistent matches in under thirty minutes.",{"@graph":14,"@context":73},[15,34,56],{"@type":16,"itemListElement":17},"BreadcrumbList",[18,23,27,31],{"item":19,"name":20,"@type":21,"position":22},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",1,{"item":24,"name":25,"@type":21,"position":26},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/","Document",2,{"item":28,"name":29,"@type":21,"position":30},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/healthcare/","Healthcare",3,{"item":32,"name":10,"@type":21,"position":33},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/the-norton-technique-for-dental-identification/323511/",4,{"url":32,"name":10,"@type":35,"image":36,"author":41,"headline":10,"publisher":44,"fileFormat":47,"inLanguage":8,"description":12,"dateModified":48,"datePublished":49,"encodingFormat":47,"isAccessibleForFree":50,"interactionStatistic":51},"DigitalDocument",{"url":37,"@type":38,"width":39,"height":40},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/the-norton-technique-for-dental-identification/323511.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":42,"@type":43},"Levi","Person",{"url":19,"name":45,"@type":46},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-23","2026-09-21",true,{"@type":52,"interactionType":53,"userInteractionCount":55},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":54},"ViewAction",7,{"@type":57,"mainEntity":58},"FAQPage",[59,65,69],{"name":60,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":62},"What problem does the Norton technique address in dental identification?","Question",{"text":63,"@type":64},"It provides a quick, simple, and inexpensive way to obtain comparable post-mortem dental X-rays when positive identity cannot be confirmed and forensic odontologists are not available.","Answer",{"name":66,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":67},"Which X-ray views are recommended for the method?",{"text":68,"@type":64},"A frontal view of incisors and cuspids is recommended, along with “bite wing” views, which are typically produced in left and right angled variants plus the frontal view.",{"name":70,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":71},"How does the technique handle angle differences between ante-mortem and post-mortem images?",{"text":72,"@type":64},"It takes additional “bite wing” views by elevating a cardboard spacer at the bottom edge and then the top edge, so at least one view closely matches the ante-mortem angle.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":32,"og:type":75,"og:title":10,"og:site_name":45,"og:description":12},"article",{"robots":77,"canonical":32},"index,follow",{"doc_id":79,"site_id":7},323511,1790150689,{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":83},"success",{"doc_id":79,"user_id":84,"nickname":42,"user_avatar":85,"doc_module":4,"category_id":55,"category_name":29,"doc_title":10,"doc_description":12,"doc_content":86,"file_id":87,"file_url":88,"file_type":89,"file_size":90,"view_count":55,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":22,"is_downloadable":22,"audit_status":22,"page_count":91,"language":92,"language_code":8,"site_id":7,"html_lang":8,"table_of_contents":93,"faqs":94,"seo_title":95,"seo_description":12,"update_tm":96,"read_time":97},7971461740909,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_155a257f0dc6eb9ab79c44ca47cae57d","from the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences Dallas,Texas  \nVolume 9,No.4 October-December,1978  \n# THE“NORTON TECHNIQUE”FOR DENTAL IDENTIFICATION\n\nLinda E.Norton,M.D.  \nThe vast majority of identifications by dental comparisondo not require the expertise of a forensic odontologist butcan be done by the pathologist.This is fortunate since inmany jurisdictions a forensic odontologist is not available.In most cases where the body is badly burned or decom-posed,a presumptive identification is made based oncircumstantial evidence.Dental records and X-rays areavailable for most such individuals.Unfortunately mostbodies will be released without positive confirmation ofidentity unless a quick,simple and inexpensive method forobtaining comparable post mortem X-rays of the teeth isaccessable.The following paragraphs describe such amethod.The simple X-ray equipment used by mostMedical Examiner's offices to locate bullets,etc.is all thatis necessary.  \nThe “bite wing”X-ray is by far the most common view ofthe teeth taken by dentists.The frontal view showing theincisors and cuspids is second.Both views can be easilyreproduced post mortem.The author advises that both bedone regardlessof what X-rays may or may not be availableat the time of autopsy.Even in edentulous victims,bonylandmarks can still be compared.In children,chronologicalage can be pinpointed with a fair degree of accuracy.If noantemortem X-rays ever surface,the expenditure of timeand energy has been small.  \nThe first step is to remove intact the upper and lowerjaws by sawing through the maxilla and mandible respec-tively.The jaws are then X-rayed face down with theincisors touching the X-ray plate.The jaws are secured inthis rather precarioius position with any tape available,solong as it is radiolucent(Figure 1).Thejaws can thus beX-rayed together as long as care is taken not to overlap anyupper and lower teeth.Even when the victim's front teethare missing due to decomposition or burning,this view canstill be helpful for reasons already mentioned.Until one issure of getting consistently good results with their equip-ment using this technique,it is wise to go ahead anddevelop this X-ray before proceding to the next step,sincethis X-ray is difficult if not impossible to reproduce oncethe next part of the procedure has been followed.  \nThe second step involves preparing the jaws to make\"bite wing\"X-rays.Both upper and lower jaws are sawedcompletely in half between the central incisors.Unless afairly large space exists between these teeth,this processwilloften destroy at least part of the central incisors.If thefront teeth have already been made fragile by burning,there may be disruption of the lateral incisors as well.(Note:if an anthropologist is present and has not totallydecompensated after step1,step 2 will surely dothe trick.)The right and left halves are then laid down on a piece ofcardboard,in positions simulating the “bite wing”film(Figure 2).The reason for the cardboard will becomeapparent later.Care is againtaken not to overlapanyteeth.The cardboard is then laid on the X-ray plate and the filmtaken.  \nIn most instances,this single view will provide a verysatisfactory X-ray for comparison with ante mortem “”bitewings”.However,in some cases due to slight miscalculationof angle by the dentist doing the ante mortem work or tovariation in angle of the postmortem work,the pre andpostmortem picture will vary enough to hamper whatwould otherwise be a simple comparison.To eliminate thispotential problem,two more views are taken.The bottomedge of the cardboard,i.e.closest to the mandible iselevated three to seven millimeters(a matchbook willsuffice for this purpose)and the new angle is X-rayed.Then,the upperedge of the cardboard is elevated similarlyand this new angle is taken.One of the three views almostinvariably provides an identical match.  \nWhen familiarity is gained with this system so thatcontinuous checks and calibrations are no longer necessary,all seven view","cbCaiuWdP9CHOV15","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaiuWdP9CHOV15","pdf",890541,5,"English","# THE “NORTON TECHNIQUE” FOR DENTAL IDENTIFICATION\n## Purpose and prerequisites\n## Equipment and recommended views\n## Step 1: Preparing and imaging the jaws\n## Step 2: Producing “bite wing” views\n## Producing multiple views efficiently\n## Figures 1-2","[{\"question\":\"What problem does the Norton technique address in dental identification?\",\"answer\":\"It provides a quick, simple, and inexpensive way to obtain comparable post-mortem dental X-rays when positive identity cannot be confirmed and forensic odontologists are not available.\"},{\"question\":\"Which X-ray views are recommended for the method?\",\"answer\":\"A frontal view of incisors and cuspids is recommended, along with “bite wing” views, which are typically produced in left and right angled variants plus the frontal view.\"},{\"question\":\"How does the technique handle angle differences between ante-mortem and post-mortem images?\",\"answer\":\"It takes additional “bite wing” views by elevating a cardboard spacer at the bottom edge and then the top edge, so at least one view closely matches the ante-mortem angle.\"}]","THE “NORTON TECHNIQUE” FOR DENTAL IDENTIFICATION | PDF",1789965406,13,{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":99},[100,104,108,112,116,121,124,129,134,137,141],{"id":22,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":101,"show_sort_weight":102,"slug":103},"Story & 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