The Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, in collaboration with the Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, organized a three-day hands-on workshop titled “Decoding Identity: A 3-Day Hands-on Workshop in Forensic Odontology” from 12th to 14th March 2026 at Vishnu Dental College. The program was conducted under the aegis of the Indian Association of Forensic Odontology (IAFO} with academic support from the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC). The workshop was designed to provide comprehensive theoretical insight and practical training in forensic odontology, with particular emphasis on disaster victim identification (DVI), biological profiling, and medico-legal documentation.
Distinguished experts led the academic sessions in the field. Dr. Deepak V, MDS, PGDFAO, PhD, served as the primary resource person for the first two days, delivering in-depth sessions on DVI protocols, field simulations, and biological profiling. Dr. Arjun Kundu, BDS, M.Sc. (Forensic Odontology), PhD, conducted the sessions on the third day, focusing on case-based learning and advanced hands-on training.
The program commenced on 12th March 2026 with comprehensive lectures on the principles and applications of disaster victim identification, followed by simulated field exercises and training in documentation and mortuary protocols. The sessions emphasized systematic recovery, recording, and reconciliation processes essential for forensic identification.
The second day focused on biological profiling, covering age estimation, sex determination, ancestry assessment, and cranio-metric analysis. Participants were actively engaged in hands-on exercises that facilitated practical understanding of skeletal and dental assessment techniques, as well as training in medico-legal report writing and submission.
The third day featured orientation, case presentations, and extensive hands-on sessions aimed at integrating theoretical knowledge with practical application. The training emphasized analytical skills, interpretation of forensic findings, and structured reporting, culminating in a valedictory session.
The workshop witnessed enthusiastic participation from undergraduate students and postgraduate students, who benefited from the interactive and skill-oriented nature of the program. The hands-on approach enabled participants to develop competence in forensic identification, DVI procedures, and medico-legal documentation.
The program was conducted successfully with the support of the Management, Principal, and IQAC of Vishnu Dental College. The organizing committee expresses its sincere gratitude to the resource persons for their invaluable contribution and to all participants for their active involvement. The workshop achieved its intended objectives and significantly contributed to academic enrichment and skill development in forensic odontology.