SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Explain the scientific principles of forensic odontology 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243634  Explain the scientific principles of forensic odontology 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Forensic Science 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is intended to introduce the learners to the scientific principles and processes underlying odontology. Learners will demonstrate an understanding as to how forensic odontology assists in identifying the remains of individuals who died in mass disasters, wars, or due to homicides, suicides, or accidents. This unit standard will also enable learners to identify remains of exhumed individuals and individuals found in mass graves. Learners will be able to demonstrate the identification processes by using specialised equipment and understanding dental work. They will also be able to use specialised techniques to establish identity.

Persons credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Assist in the collection and preservation of post-mortem dental evidence.
  • Apply the principles of identification of persons using dental records. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF 4 or equivalent.
  • Apply knowledge of anatomy, patho-physiology and trauma pathology at NQF 5.
  • Facilitate the identification process of human remains at NQF 5.
  • Assist with post mortem examination procedures at NQF 5.
  • Perform Imaging Techniques at NQF 5. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    In this unit standard "given situation" refers but is not limited to structured scenario's, case studies, actual and or real situations. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Assist in the collection and preservation of post-mortem dental evidence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Post-mortem examination procedures for the purpose of identifying a person are explained in terms of their limitations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Post-mortem examination procedures: dental examination and compilation of post-mortem dental records.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Dental photography is demonstrated to compile a dental profile. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Post-mortem dental dissection/resection techniques of teeth are explained as a means of identifying the person. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Dental impressions are taken as a means of identifying the person. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Dental impressions: teeth of deceased person and bite marks on skin.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The role of dental radiography in the identification of human remains is explained in terms of how and when it could be used. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    A human bite mark injury on a body is identified, secured and described in order to assist with the identification of a suspect. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The spectrum of evidence that can be collected from a bite mark is explained with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Spectrum of evidence includes but is not limited to: photograph, saliva, dental impression, measurements etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The use of bite marks in identifying a suspect is explained in terms of its limitations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Apply the principles of identification of persons using dental records. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The morphology of adult teeth is described in order to identify human bite marks for comparison with potential suspect(s). 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Adult teeth: molars, pre-molars, incisors and canines.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sources of ante-mortem dental records are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Comparison between ante- and post-mortem dental records is explained regarding their relevance in the identification of a deceased person. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The criteria used for dental identification are described with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The role of forensic odontology in mass fatalities is explained in terms of its use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The use of radiological equipment in forensic odontology is demonstrated in a given situation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Specialised dissection techniques used in forensic odontology are demonstrated in a given situation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    The age of a deceased person is estimated by examining dental remains in a given situation. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving is covered in that a learner must be able to assist of the odontologist in the dental identification of a person. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working in a team in that a learner must recognise that he or she is required to work as part of a team in a medico-legal environment in order to facilitate the dental identification process. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self management in that the learner is responsible for organising and managing him/herself in relation to the information he/she is required to gather. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Learners are required to collect, analyze, organise and critically evaluate information relating to the dental identification of human remains. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Learners are required to communicate about dental identification issues using a variety of communication methods. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Learners are required to use science and technology in the dental identification process. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Learners are required to see the world as a set of related systems in that, when interacting with bereaved family and friends they conduct themselves in an ethically and culturally sensitive manner. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  58183   National Diploma: Forensic Pathology Support  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.