National database keeps track of dental records, which are listed in code - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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2015-02-25

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Is there a database in the sky? Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 30, 2013 at 12:01 AM Updated Nov 30, 2013 at 2:30 AM Posted Nov. 30, 2013 at 12:01 AM Updated Nov 30, 2013 at 2:30 AM »  Social News How do authorities find the dental records needed to identify deceased people? Is there a database in the sky? It gives me the creeps to think my X-rays are in a file somewhere in Washington, D.C. — Meredith L., Medford We have some good news for you Meredith. Big Brother isn't watching how often you floss. But we checked with Medford police Lt. Mike Budreau, and it turns out there is a national database called the National Crime Information Center. "It's a government database," Budreau said. "If somebody wanted to check, that would have to be facilitated through a government law enforcement agency." But you can rest easy knowing your X-rays aren't simply copied to Washington every time you get a cleaning. Thanks to the magic of Forensic Odentology, which is the science of dentistry used to resolve matters pertaining to law, X-rays aren't necessary; all they need is a code to accurately describe a person's individual mouth. "Everybody's dental records and basically their teeth can be transcribed in an alphanumeric value," Budreau said. Of course, the code goes by a much simpler name at the station. "We just call them dental records," he said. In the event that police find a skull without DNA or other identifying information, Budreau said, they can submit the dental records information into the database and see whether there's a match. However, your records aren't in there unless you've been missing more than 30 days. Budreau said it's labor intensive for dental offices to provide dental records, so they wait until a person is missing to submit it. "Basically the law enforcement agency that submits a missing-person report will submit DNA and dental records to NCIC," he said. "We do it on cases where the person is missing over 30 days." Dental records are a valuable tool in determining whether a missing person has been found, according to Budreau. "It's one of the few ways to identify after DNA and fingerprints are no longer available," he said. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We're sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 30, 2013 at 12:01 AM Updated Nov 30, 2013 at 2:30 AM » Comment or view comments   Reader Reaction »  STAY INFORMED   Email NewsLetter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed   Email newsletter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. 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