Concordant Feature
Definition
A characteristic that matches between the AM and PM records. Concordances build the case for identification; the more unique and numerous they are, the stronger the conclusion.
- Field
- Dental identification
- Definition
- Matching characteristic between AM and PM records
- Effect
- Builds the case for identification
- Strength factor
- Uniqueness and number of concordances
Common questions
Does a single strong concordant feature outweigh several minor discrepancies in a dental identification case?+
It depends on how explainable the discrepancies are. A discrepancy that can be attributed to dental treatment, growth or record-keeping error between the antemortem and postmortem timeframes carries less weight against identification than an unexplained discordance, and examiners weigh the totality of concordant and discordant features rather than counting either in isolation.
How many concordant features are needed before a dental identification is considered reliable?+
There is no fixed universal number, unlike some numeric thresholds historically used in other pattern disciplines. The strength of a conclusion depends on the rarity of the specific features matched, such as an unusual restoration pattern or root morphology, not simply a raw count of matching points.
Related terms
- Ante-Mortem (AM) Record
- Any dental documentation from the person's life: radiographs, clinical charts, study models, photographs, and prosthetic records. These form the known standard against...
- Discordant Feature
- A characteristic that differs between AM and PM findings. A discordance must either be explained (e.g., new dental work since the last...
- Exclusion
- The categorical conclusion that one or more examined features are clearly inconsistent in a way that cannot be explained by projection angle,...
- Positive Identification
- The categorical conclusion in comparative radiography that all examined features are concordant, no feature is inconsistent, and the overall pattern of correspondence...
- Post-Mortem (PM) Examination
- The systematic dental examination conducted on remains after death, producing a chart, radiographs, and photographs that document the current state of the...