The Indian Association of Forensic Odontology (IAFO) is a professional organisation, primarily of dentists in India, furthering the speciality of forensic dentistry. It is the oldest and largest such body in India. The Association is a non-profit organisation for dentists, doctors, forensic scientists, forensic pathologists, police, lawyers and allied professionals who are interested in the scientific investigation of crime and identification using odontological evidences.

Overview

The IAFO was formed in 2000 by a small group of dentists from around India, spearheaded by its Founder President, the renowned Dr. (Late) J.G. Kannappan, in Chennai. Subsequently it was registered in 2002 with the Registrar of Societies, Chennai. It currently has more than 470 members.

Over the past 18 years the IAFO has grown steadily in terms of outreach and membership. The Association encourages active members from dental, medical, forensic disciplines and law enforcing agencies of the country. Members routinely contribute to solving forensic dental cases referred by the police, and several  cases of national interest and importance have been handled by IAFO members.

Since 2002, the IAFO has been organising National Conferences that serve as a platform for dentists from around the country (and beyond) to gain knowledge and skills in the subject and interact with one another. The next conference is in Mumbai, Maharashtra,  on 25-26 September 2021. The IAFO has a decade-old official publication, the Journal of Forensic Dental Sciences, which is currently in its 10th volume. And in 2011, the IAFO became a member-society of the International Organisation for Forensic Odonto-Stomatology (IOFOS). More on the history and growth of the IAFO can be found here.

The Objectives of the IAFO are as Follows:

  1. Provide an organisation of forensic odontologists whose services may be sought by the government during calamities or for expert opinion in deliverance of justice.
  2. Help the Dental Council of India (DCI) and institutions in India to provide uniform qualifications and requirements for the certification of forensic odontologists.
  3. To promote establishment of forensic odontology as a career in private as well as governmental institutions.
  4. Stimulate research and development in the field of forensic odontology.
  5. Provide a forum for the discussion and exchange of professional experiences between members and among others engaged in the administration of justice, police, governmental tasks, and allied fields.
  6. Promote continuing education and training in forensic odontology through the conduct of conferences, seminars, symposiums, workshops etc.
  7. To disseminate knowledge of the science through newsletters and appropriate methods.
  8. When appropriate and upon request, to provide impartial boards of review for cases involving differences of professional opinion in the field of forensic odontology.
  9. When appropriate, review and make recommendations on pending or existing legislation that appears to relate to the field of forensic odontology.
  10. Promote forensic odontology services to government and private organisations and to individuals in need.

Mission

The Mission of the IAFO is to provide to its members educational seminars, disseminate useful information related to all the disciplines of the forensic sciences, and to encourage the highest ethical standards in the collection, preservation, and examination of odonto-stomotological evidence.  It is also to establish a platform for the dental fraternity to exchange mutually their knowledge, skill, professionalism and expertise in the field of forensic odontology.

These, and other aims and objectives, and rules and regulations of the Association are detailed in the bylaws.