Integrating Forensic Odontology and Forensic Psychology in Medico-Legal and Public Health Contexts: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background & objectives:
Forensic odontology and forensic psychology contribute independently to medico-legal investigations; however, their interdisciplinary integration remains limited despite overlapping relevance to violence, abuse, disaster victim identification, and justice systems with public health implications. Dental findings such as bite marks, oral trauma, dental wear, and identification records frequently occur in contexts influenced by psychological factors including aggression, coercion, stress, and trauma. This scoping review aimed to map existing evidence on the integration of forensic odontology with forensic psychology and to identify applications, gaps, and future research priorities relevant to medico-legal and public health practice.
Methods:
A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar, and IndMED) were searched for peer-reviewed literature examining forensic dental evidence alongside behavioral, psychological, or trauma-related interpretations. Eligible studies were screened and thematically synthesized.
Results:
Thirty-eight studies were included. Interdisciplinary overlap was identified across five domains: bite mark analysis and aggressive behaviour, oral trauma in abuse and violence, human identification and psychological closure, stress-related dental wear, and expert testimony in courts. Most studies were descriptive or conceptual, with limited empirical validation of behavioral inferences derived from dental evidence.
Interpretation & conclusions:
Integration of forensic odontology and forensic psychology may enhance medico-legal interpretation and trauma-informed justice, with potential public health relevance. Ethical caution and methodological rigor remain essential. Further interdisciplinary research is required to validate integrated forensic approaches and inform evidence-based policy.