31 - Dr Judy Hinchliffe: From Tsunamis to Terror Attacks — A Forensic Odontologist's Story

In this episode, we are joined by Dr Judy Hinchliffe, a forensic odontologist with more than 30 years of experience working across the UK, New Zealand and Australia.

Judy explains what forensic odontology is, how dental evidence can be used to identify the deceased, and why teeth remain one of the most valuable tools in forensic identification.

We discuss her journey from general dental practice into forensic science, her first experiences of forensic casework, and how she became one of the most respected figures in her field.

Judy also shares her experiences working on some of the world's most significant disaster victim identification operations, including the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the Sharm el-Sheikh bombings, the Christchurch earthquake, Australian bushfires and the Ethiopian Airlines disaster, where we had the privilege of working alongside her.

Along the way, we explore the realities of disaster deployments, the importance of teamwork, the emotional impact of identifying victims, and what it means to help provide answers to families during the most difficult of circumstances.

We also discuss one of the most debated topics in forensic science — bite mark analysis — and why this area of forensic odontology has come under scrutiny in recent years.

This is a fascinating insight into a highly specialised area of forensic science and the people who dedicate their careers to identifying the dead and helping bring certainty to the living.

#TheCrimeSceneInsiders #ForensicScience #ForensicOdontology #DisasterVictimIdentification #DVI

#TrueCrime #TrueCrimeUK #CSI #UnderTheBarrierTape #Podcast #TrueCrimePodcast

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