Why is it important to include dental information in a missing person record?

Including dental information in a missing person record is crucial for matching purposes. Dental records are uniquely tied to an individual and can provide definitive identification. Dentists often keep detailed records of an individual's dental work, such as crowns, fillings, and other dental modifications, which can be highly distinctive.

In missing person cases, law enforcement agencies may retrieve dental records to compare them against unidentified remains. This comparison can lead to a quick and accurate identification, especially in cases where other forms of identification, such as fingerprints or photographs, may not be available or feasible. The use of dental records is a reliable method due to the unique characteristics of each person's dental history.

Maintaining privacy, civil litigation, or generic identification purposes do not directly address the specific need for dental information in the context of identifying missing persons. The primary focus of including dental records is to ensure effective matching that aids in solving cases efficiently.