Anthony “Rick” Cardoza, DDS, D-ABFO
9:30 AM-1:00 PM
Dispelling the “CSI Effect” Myth, An Overview of Contemporary Forensic Dentistry
Friday, April 28 | 9:30 AM-1:00 PM
Three and a half (3.5) CE Hours | Category B
Course Description
Because of the current popularity of forensic faire in television, the general public is getting a skewed view of the true nature of forensic investigation. This issue is commonly known as the “CSI effect”. In this seminar, Dr. Cardoza will dispel this myth as it relates to forensic odontology. Topics will include forensic dental identification of decedents of varying postmortem states including: skeletal, fragmented, decomposed, burned remains and pattern injuries as they relate to bite mark investigation not only in human bites but animal bites as well.
Course Objectives
- Learn the varied roles of forensic dentists.
- Understand the forensic value of dental records.
- Recognize how to cooperate with the legal system.
- Understand forensic dental identification with the use of radiographs as well as by other means.
- Understand the various roles forensic dentists participate in with assisting law enforcement and death investigation agencies.
- Understand how dental records in your practice could be used in a forensic dental investigation.
Course Sponsored By:
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Cardoza is a 1985 graduate of Northwestern University Dental School and maintains a general dental practice in Santee (San Diego County) California. Dr. Cardoza is a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, and the San Diego County Dental Association. Dr. Cardoza is a Fellow in the World Class Laser Institute and a Member of the Academy of Laser Dentistry.
As a general dentist, Dr. Cardoza treats patients of all ages specific to their individual needs and concerns. Dr. Cardoza is comfortable performing many of the dental procedures that are often referred to specialists including endodontics (root canals), extractions, and periodontal (gum) treatments.
In addition, Dr. Cardoza is a forensic dental consultant for the County of San Diego Office of the Medical Examiner, County of Imperial Office of the Coroner, State of California Department of Justice, The California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA) and is the Director of the California Dental Identification Team (CalDIT).
Dr. Cardoza maintains a busy forensic caseload due to the San Diego and Imperial Counties proximity to the Mexican border. He has performed numerous postmortem dental examinations, comparisons and identifications and most recently was involved with the identifications of victims of the Southern California wildfire disasters.
Also, Dr. Cardoza lectures throughout the United States and Canada at regional and local dental conferences on the topics of forensic dentistry and lasers in dentistry.