UP Ibalon Bicol: Reconciling dental records and the identity of Ruby Rose Jimenez

Reconciling dental records and the identity of Ruby Rose Jimenez

8/03/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

In forensic investigations which involve dental records, usually, identification of human remains is not difficult. The landmarks of a person’s teeth and jawbone are unique that when x-rays are compared, the match or mismatch is easily evident. The dentition, the relation of the teeth to the bones, and presence of cavities, dental fillings and appliance are usually enough.

Apparently, this is not the case of a woman found in a steel drum on June 10, 2009. The conflicting report of the National Police and pathologists Dr. Raquel Fortun and Dr. Danilo Magtanong of the University of the Philippines on the identity of suspected murder victim Ruby Rose Barrameda Jimenez is marred by questions on the inconsistency of the dental findings. The controversy casts doubt on the competence of our investigators.

According to Magtanong, the dental charts failed to match because the body had ”a first molar and a missing third molar while Ruby Rose’s 1996 records indicated she had no first molar. “

That is not hard to understand. If such findings are true (barring tampering,) then that skull or jawbone is not that Ruby Rose. Surely, there are other unique features of the remains that may be used to help corroborate the conclusion. This is of paramount importance for any error can bring someone to answer a crime.

The unfortunate tug-of-war among forensic “experts’ has caused tremendous embarrassment and loss of credibility among our investigators. Those in the crime laboratory need not challenge the public about giving up their licenses if only to prove that they are correct in their findings. They must focus on the evidence using the tools of forensic science to arrive at the right conclusion. (Photo Credit: rontgen1) =0=

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Labels: dental records, Dr. Raquel Fortun, forensic investigation, investigation, medico-legal, murder, Ruby Rose Jimenez, science, Totie Mesia, UP

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Reconciling dental records and the identity of Ruby Rose Jimenez

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