The Organization
Executive Boards
Past presidents and Executive boards of IOFOS
2020 – 2023
2017 – 2020
Prof. Hrvoje Brkic DMD,MSc, PhD, president – Croatia
University of Zagreb School of Dental Medicine
Department of Dental Anthropology
Chair of Forensic Dentistry
Gunduliceva 5, HR-10000 Zagreb
Hrvoje Brkic was born in Zagreb 1963. In 1988 he graduated from the School of Dental Medicine University of Zagreb. Ever since 1989 he has been working at the Department of Dental Anthropology. He has been teaching dental morphology and courses in Forensic dentistry in the graduate and post graduate studies. Until today he has been managing several national and international scientific projects as well as two projects financed by the EU. Since 2003 he has been the Vice Dean, and since 2012 he has been Dean of the School of Dental Medicine University of Zagreb. He has actively participated at numerous international conferences and he had published more than 150 scientific and professional publications, books and book chapters. In 2012 he was awarded with Republic of Croatia National Science Award. Hrvoje Brkic is also a member of several interanational editorial boards and since 2006, he has been the editor in chief of the journal Acta stomatologica Croatica. He is married and father of three children,
Prof. Dr. med. Ruediger Lessig, vice-president – Germany
Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg – Institut of Legal Medicine
Franzosenweg 1 – D-06112 Halle (Saale)
Ruediger Lessig was born in Leipzig (Germany) in 1958. He is director of the Institute of of Legal Medicine of the Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenbergof and Member of the Senate of the Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg. He is president of the German Society of Forensic Odontostomatology. He graduated in Stomatology in Volgograd/Russia in 1981 and in medicine at the University of Leipzig/Germany in 1983, Specialist of legal medicine at the Institute of Legal Medicine of the University of Leipzig in 1987. He wrote more than 100 publications of scientific work in forensic medicine, forensic genetics and forensic odonto-stomatology, and book chapters in international Journals. Member of several scientific organizations – ISFG (International Society of Forensic Genetics), German Society of Legal Medicine, German Society of Stomatology, German Association of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology. Since 2014 he was member of IOFOS Board.
Prof. Ricardo Henrique Alves da Silva DDS, MSc, PhD – secretary – Brazil
University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto
Facebook: odontolegalforpusp
Ricardo Henrique Alves da Silva was born in Bauru (São Paulo State, Brazil), in 1980. In 2002 he finished his dental studies (DDS) at USP – Bauru Dental School. He completed his Master at USP – Bauru Dental School in 2005 and Ph.D. at USP – São Paulo Dental School in 2007, both related to Forensic Odontology. Ever since 2003 he has been working in different fields in Forensic Odontology related to teaching, dental malpractice litigance expert witness, human identification cases and professional guidance related to legal and ethical aspects in Dentistry. He is the professor in charge for Forensic Odontology at USP – School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto since 2008 and has been teaching at the undergraduate and graduate (MSc and PhD) programs, including the coordination of the Forensic Odontology Specialization Program, as well as performs forensic odontological expertise. His major research topics are related to human identification, forensic anthropology, dental age estimation and lawsuits in Dentistry (professional liability). He has actively participated in numerous Brazilian and international conferences and he had published several scientific papers, books, and book chapters. Among other activities related to Forensic Odontology, he is the Editor-in-Chief of the Brazilian Journal of Forensic Odontology, Brazilian Representative in the Forensic Odontology INTERPOL DVI Working Group, Past President of the Brazilian Association of Forensic Odontology (2012-2014), Member of the National Executive Board of the Brazilian Society of Forensic Sciences (2017-2019) and Member of the National Board of the Brazilian Association of Forensic Odontology (2016-2018).
Prof. Vilma Pinchi, JFOS Editor – Italy
University of Florence
Prof. Pinchi completed her dental studies at University of Perugia cum laude and attained PhD in Medical Forensic Sciences cum laude and Specialty Course in Orthodontics at University of Brescia. She is full professor of Legal Medicine at University of Florence and lecturer in several degree Courses of Dental and Medical Schools, specialization courses at University of Florence; she is the Coordinator of the Master Course in Forensic Odontology. Prof. Pinchi is the chief of the section of Medical Forensic Sciences and the Director of Specialty Course in Legal Medicine of University of Florence. Prof. Pinchi served as President of IOFOS (International Organisation for Forensic Odonto-Stomatology) for two terms 2011-2017 and since2017 she is the Editor of The Journal of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology (JFOS) . She is one of the Italian representative members at European Council of Legal Medicine and at DVI Interpol Working group on Forensic Odontology. Prof. Pinchi is founder and President of Scientific Committee of Pro.O.F. (Forensic Odontology Project) the largest Association of Forensic Odontologists in Italy, Vice-President of GIOAF (Italian Group of Forensic Anthropology and Odontology), is a member of the Committee of the Italian Ministry of Health for the elaboration of Guide-lines for the prevention and clinical management of dental trauma in the childhood. She authored more than 150 papers concerning the dental identification, the mass-disaster, the professional liability of the dentist, the evaluation of dental damage. She is regularly appointed as expert by Courts and lectured nationally and internationally in more than 130 conferences and symposia.
Dr. Stefano Garatti, Webmaster – Italy
He is a private dental practitioner in Monza (Italy). He took a DDS degree at the University of Milan in 1986 and a MSc degree in forensic odontology at the University of Florence in 2008. He cooperate with Special Care Dentistry at the hospital of Carate Brianza, near Milan, and he was the chief of Special Care Orthodontics in the same hospital. Forensic Odontologist since 1997, he has been involved in damage evaluation and in forensic odontology cases as a consultant for insurance companies, private or public institutions. He regularly acts as expert consultant in civil court cases involving the forensic odontology concern, especially dental professional liability. He is co-author of Forensic Odontology and Special Care Dentistry textbooks, has written several scientific articles and lectures nationally and internationally. Since 2006 member of the board and webmaster of Pro.O.F (Forensic Odontology Project). Since 2011 member of IOFOS board
Prof. Patrick Thevissen DDS, Msc, PhD – treasurer – Belgium
KULeuven, Belgium
Faculty of Medicine
Department of Oral Health Sciences
Patrick Thevissen finished his dental studies (DDS) in 1980 at the Rijksuniversiteit Gent, Belgium and started a private dental practice in 1981. In 2005 he obtained his master’s degree (Msc) in forensic odontology at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KULeuven). Since 2007 he has been working at the Faculty of Medicine in the unit Forensic Dentistry at the Department of Oral Health Sciences of the KULeuven. In 2013 he obtained his Phd degree at the KULeuven on the research topic: Dental age estimation in sub-adults: Striving for an optimal approach. Since 2014 he became staff member of the KULeuven and head of the unit Forensic Dentistry. He teaches forensic odontology to undergraduate and international post graduate students (www.mfo.be), performs forensic odontological expertises and his major research topics are related to dental age estimations and uniqueness of the teeth in the context of bitemark analysis and human identification (https://lirias.kuleuven.be/cv?u=U0056624). Since 2011 member of IOFOS Board
Marin Vodanovic, DDM, MSc, PhD – Newsletter editor – Croatia
University of Zagreb School of Dental Medicine
Department of Dental Anthropology
University Hospital Centre Zagreb
Gundulićeva 5, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Marin Vodanovic received his dental degree in 1999 at the School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb. In 2005 he obtained his Master of science degree, and 2008 his PhD degree. He specialized in endodontics and dental pathology and completed his studies at University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia in 2010. Since 2001 he has been working at the School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb. Since 2014 he became head of the Department of Dental Anthropology, and since 2015 Vice Dean for Postgraduate Specialist University Study at the School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb. His main areas of research expertise are in paleodontology, forensic dentistry, dental anthropology and endodontics. He served as project leader and researcher at several projects. In 2012 he was at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, USA. He is author or coauthor of more than 150 publications including 10 books and textbooks. He is editor in chief of the Bulletin of the International Association for Paleodontology and member of editorial board of Acta Stomatologica Croatica – online, Stomatološki vjesnik Bosne i Hercegovine, Croatian Dental Herald (2006 – 2008). Since 2017 he became editor of the IOFOS Newsletter. He is a founder and president of the International Association for Paleodontology, secretary of the Croatian Association of Forensic Stomatologists and member of the International Association for Dental Research, European Society of Endodontology, International Organisation for Forensic-Odontostomatology , Croatian Endodontic Association, Croatian Dental Society, Croatian Medical Association, Croatian Catholic Medical Society and Croatian Dental Chamber. He served as reviewer for many journals including: American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Archives of Oral Biology, Journal of Archaeological Science, International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, etc. In 2006 he was awarded with Republic of Croatia National Science Award.
2014 – 2017
Vilma Pinchi, President
Vilma Pinchi is an Associate Professor of Legal Medicine in the Department of Anatomy , Histology and Legal Medicine, University of Firenze. She completed her dental studies at University of Perugia cum laude in 1993, her PhD in Medical Forensic Sciences cum laude in 1999 at University of Brescia and Master in Bioethics in Clinical Daily Activity at University of Firenze in 2009.Since 1993 she has worked as private practitioner and is regularly appointed as expert witness in criminal and civil Courts both in cases involving body identification, age ascertainment and dental professional liability. She is the Secretary of Pro.O.F. (Forensic Odontology Project) and the course organizer of the annual post-graduate Master in Forensic Odontology at University of Firenze . She is co-author of forensic odontology and legal medicine textbooks, has written several scientific articles and lectures nationally and internationally.
Hrvoje Brkic, Vice president
Hrvoje Brkić was born on August 12th 1963 in Zagreb. In 1988 he graduated from the School of Dental Medicine University of Zagreb. Ever since December 1998 he has been working at the Department of Dental Anthropology. He has been teaching dental morphology and courses in forensic dentistry in the graduate and post graduate studies. Until today he has been managing several Croatian scientific projects as well as one international project financed by the EU. Since 2003 he has been the Vice Dean of the School of Dental Medicine University of Zagreb. He has actively participated at numerous international conferences and he has published more than 100 scientific and professional publications, books and book chapters. He is also a member of several international editorial boards and, since 2006, he has been the editor in chief of the Journal Acta Stomatologica Croatica. He is married and father of three children.
Francesco Pradella, Secretary
Private dental practitioner and forensic odontologist since 1985. He took a MD degree at the University of Padua in 1981, a DDS degree at the University of Verona in 1984 and a MSc degree in forensic odontology at the University of Florence in 2008. He has been involved in damage evaluation cases and in forensic odontology cases since 1985 as a consultant for insurance companies, private or public institutions. He regularly acts as expert consultant in criminal and civil court cases involving the different fields of forensic odontology. He has attended many courses and delivered papers and oral presentations related to forensic odontology in Italy and abroad, and has published scientific articles in national journals. Member of many scientific societies and among them SIMLA (Italian Society of Legal Medicine) and Pro.O.F (Forensic Odontology Project).
Patrick Thevissen, Treasurer, Editor JFOS
Patrick Thevissen finished his dental studies in 1980 at the Rijksuniversiteit Gent, Belgium and started a private dental practice in 1981. In 2005 he obtained his master’s degree (Msc) in forensic odontology at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. Since 2007 he has worked in the Department of Forensic Odontology at the School of Dentistry, Oral Pathology and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and teaches forensic odontology to international post graduate students. In 2009 he started his Phd thesis at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven on the research topic: Non-destructive forensic odontological age estimations revisited.
Stefano Garatti, Webmaster
He is a private dental practitioner in Monza (Italy). He is also the Clinical Supervisor of Department of Dentistry at the “A.O. of Desio and Vimercate” near Milan. He took a DDS degree at the University of Milan in 1986 and a MSc degree in forensic odontology at the University of Florence in 2008.
He cooperate with Special Care Dentistry at the hospital of Carate Brianza, near Milan, and he is the chief of Special Care Orthodontics in the same hospital. Forensic Odontologist since 1997, he has been involved in damage evaluation and in forensic odontology cases as a consultant for insurance companies, private or public institutions. He regularly acts as expert consultant in civil court cases involving the forensic odontology concern, especially dental professional liability. He is co-author of Forensic Odontology and Special Care Dentistry textbooks, has written several scientific articles and lectures nationally and internationally. Since 2006 member of the board and webmaster of Pro.O.F (Forensic Odontology Project).
Ruediger Lessig, Newsletter editor
He is director of the Institute of of Legal Medicine of the Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenbergof and Memberof the Senate of the Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg. He is president of the German Society of Forensic Odontostomatology. He graduated in Stomatology in Volgograd/Russia in 1981 and in medicine at the University of Leipzig/Germany in 1983, Specialist of legal medicine at the Institute of Legal Medicine of the University of Leipzig in 1987. He wrote more than 100 publications of scientific work in forensic medicine, forensic genetics and forensic odonto-stomatology, and book chapters in international Journals. Member of several scientific organizations – ISFG (Intarnational Society of Forensic Genetics), German Society of Legal Medicine, German Society of Stomatology, German Association of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology.
2011 – 2014
Vilma Pinchi, President
Vilma Pinchi is an Associate Professor of Legal Medicine in the Department of Anatomy , Histology and Legal Medicine, University of Firenze. She completed her dental studies at University of Perugia cum laude in 1993, her PhD in Medical Forensic Sciences cum laude in 1999 at University of Brescia and Master in Bioethics in Clinical Daily Activity at University of Firenze in 2009.Since 1993 she has worked as private practitioner and is regularly appointed as expert witness in criminal and civil Courts both in cases involving body identification, age ascertainment and dental professional liability. She is the Secretary of Pro.O.F. (Forensic Odontology Project) and the course organizer of the annual post-graduate Master in Forensic Odontology at University of Firenze . She is co-author of forensic odontology and legal medicine textbooks, has written several scientific articles and lectures nationally and internationally.
Herman Bernitz, Vice president
Herman Bernitz is a private dental practitioner and part time senior Stomatologist in the Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Biology, University of Pretoria , South Africa. He completed his B.Ch.D in 1978, his M.Sc. (Odont) cum laude in Oral Pathology in 1996, and his Dip. Odont. cum laude in Forensic Odontology in 1998. His Ph.D in Forensic Dentistry (2004) was entitled “A Model to Determine the Individual Discrimination Potential of Numerically Analysed Dental Features in the Anterior Twelve Teeth”. He lectures in Oral Pathology and Forensic Dentistry, and is manager of Forensic Dental Research. Since 1998 he has acted as forensic consultant during which time he has been involved in all aspects of Forensic Dentistry. He regularly acts as expert witness in Supreme Court cases involving tooth marks. He has attended courses/delivered papers related to forensic odontology, and has published internationally. He was the President of Iofos in the past two terms. He is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology.
Patrick Thevissen, Treasurer, Editor JFOS
Patrick Thevissen finished his dental studies in 1980 at the Rijksuniversiteit Gent, Belgium and started a private dental practice in 1981. In 2005 he obtained his master’s degree (Msc) in forensic odontology at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. Since 2007 he has worked in the Department of Forensic Odontology at the School of Dentistry, Oral Pathology and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and teaches forensic odontology to international post graduate students. In 2009 he started his Phd thesis at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven on the research topic: Non-destructive forensic odontological age estimations revisited.
Francesco Pradella, Secretary
Private dental practitioner and forensic odontologist since 1985. He took a MD degree at the University of Padua in 1981, a DDS degree at the University of Verona in 1984 and a MSc degree in forensic odontology at the University of Florence in 2008. He has been involved in damage evaluation cases and in forensic odontology cases since 1985 as a consultant for insurance companies, private or public institutions. He regularly acts as expert consultant in criminal and civil court cases involving the different fields of forensic odontology. He has attended many courses and delivered papers and oral presentations related to forensic odontology in Italy and abroad, and has published scientific articles in national journals. Member of many scientific societies and among them SIMLA (Italian Society of Legal Medicine) and Pro.O.F (Forensic Odontology Project).
Stefano Garatti, Webmaster
He is a private dental practitioner in Monza. He is also the Clinical Supervisor of Department of Dentistry at the “A.O. fo Desio and Vimercate” near Milan. He took a DDS degree at the University of Milan in 1986 and a MSc degree in forensic odontology at the University of Florence in 2008. He cooperate with Special Care Dentistry at the hospital of Carate Brianza, near Milan, and he is the chief of Special Care Orthodontics in the same hospital. Forensic Odontologist since 1997, he has been involved in damage evaluation and in forensic odontology cases as a consultant for insurance companies, private or public institutions. He regularly acts as expert consultant in civil court cases involving the forensic odontology concern, especially dental professional liability. He is co-author of forensic odontology and Special Care Dentistry textbooks, has written several scientific articles and lectures nationally and internationally.
Since 2006 member of the board and webmaster of Pro.O.F (Forensic Odontology Project).
Hrvoje Brkic, Newsletter editor
Hrvoje Brkić was born on August 12th 1963 in Zagreb. In 1988 he graduated from the School of Dental Medicine University of Zagreb. Ever since December 1998 he has been working at the Department of Dental Anthropology. He has been teaching dental morphology and courses in forensic dentistry in the graduate and post graduate studies. Until today he has been managing several Croatian scientific projects as well as one international project financed by the EU. Since 2003 he has been the Vice Dean of the School of Dental Medicine University of Zagreb. He has actively participated at numerous international conferences and he has published more than 100 scientific and professional publications, books and book chapters. He is also a member of several international editorial boards and, since 2006, he has been the editor in chief of the Journal Acta Stomatologica Croatica. He is married and father of three children.
2008 – 2011
Herman Bernitz, president
Herman Bernitz is a private dental practitioner and part time senior Stomatologist in the Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Biology, University of Pretoria , South Africa . He completed his B.Ch.D in 1978, his M.Sc. (Odont) cum laude in Oral Pathology in 1996, and his Dip. Odont. cum laude in Forensic Odontology in 1998. His Ph.D in Forensic Dentistry (2004) was entitled “A Model to Determine the Individual Discrimination Potential of Numerically Analysed Dental Features in the Anterior Twelve Teeth”. He lectures in Oral Pathology and Forensic Dentistry, and is manager of Forensic Dental Research. Since 1998 he has acted as forensic consultant during which time he has been involved in all aspects of Forensic Dentistry. He regularly acts as expert witness in Supreme Court cases involving tooth marks. He has attended courses/delivered papers related to forensic odontology, and has published internationally. He is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology.
Tore Solheim, vice president
Professor of pathology and forensic odontology in the Dental Faculty of Oslo, Norway. Has been active in forensic odontology since 1971 and has been responsible for the service to the police in Norway since 1974. Member of the Norwegian identification commission connected to the Central Criminal Police Bureau in Oslo since 1975. Accepted by the Department of Justice as a forensic medical expert in odontological questions in 1976. Served many years on the Norwegian delegation to Interpol working commission in “disaster victim identification”. Chairman of the Norwegian Society of Forensic Odontology in several periods. Main research interests are methods of age estimation and analysis of frequencies of dental details for identification and tooth mark comparison.
Patrick Thevissen, Secretary/treasurer
Patrick Thevissen finished his dental studies in 1980 at the Rijksuniversiteit Gent, Belgium and started a private dental practice in 1981. In 2005 he obtained his master’s degree (Msc) in forensic odontology at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. Since 2007 he has worked in the Department of Forensic Odontology at the School of Dentistry, Oral Pathology and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and teaches forensic odontology to international post graduate students. In 2009 he started his Phd thesis at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven on the research topic: Non-destructive forensic odontological age estimations revisited.
Judy Hinchliffe, editor JFOS
Judy was a dental practitioner for many years in the UK and had a part-time teaching commitment to the School of Clinical Dentistry at the University of Sheffield . Gaining the Diploma in Forensic Odontology in 1991, she has many years of independent forensic casework experience to include: court appearances, bite mark analysis, age estimations, identifications and several mass disasters. Judy lectures nationally and internationally on forensic dentistry and has written several articles and contributed to chapters in forensic textbooks. She is a past president of the British Association for Forensic Odontology (BAFO), a member of the American Society of Forensic Odontology, the dental council member for the British Association for Human Identification and is an Honorary Fellow of the new Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine, Royal College of Physicians, London . Judy moved to Wellington in 2007 and now divides her time between New Zealand and the UK .
Sonja Boy, editor of the Newsletter
Sonja Boy obtained her BChD degree at the University of Pretoria in 1995. After 2 years of running her own private practice in Pretoria, she specialized in Oral and Maxillo-Facial Pathology at the University of Pretoria . She obtained her degree cum laude in 2001. She is currently appointed as a senior specialist in Oral and Maxillo-Facial Pathology at the University of Pretoria . She obtained her degree cum laude in 2001. She is currently appointed as a senior specialist in Oral and Maxillo-facial Pathology at the University of Pretoria and is the author and co-author of several scientific publications in international and national scientific journals. She has delivered various international and national congress presentations and is a member of several professional organisations of Dentistry, General Pathology, Maxillo-Facial Pathology as well as Veterinary Dentistry. She is currently the course organiser of Oral Biology for pre- and post-graduate Dentistry as well as oral hygiene and promoter of several pre-and postgraduate student researc projects.
2005 – 2008
Herman Bernitz, president
Herman Bernitz is a private dental practitioner and part time senior Stomatologist in the Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Biology, University of Pretoria , South Africa . He completed his B.Ch.D in 1978, his M.Sc. (Odont) cum laude in Oral Pathology in 1996, and his Dip. Odont. cum laude in Forensic Odontology in 1998. His Ph.D in Forensic Dentistry (2004) was entitled “A Model to Determine the Individual Discrimination Potential of Numerically Analysed Dental Features in the Anterior Twelve Teeth”. He lectures in Oral Pathology and Forensic Dentistry, and is manager of Forensic Dental Research. Since 1998 he has acted as forensic consultant during which time he has been involved in all aspects of Forensic Dentistry. He regularly acts as expert witness in Supreme Court cases involving tooth marks. He has attended courses/delivered papers related to forensic odontology, and has published internationally. He is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Forensic Odonto-stomatology.
Vince Phillips, vice president
Vince Phillips is an oral pathologist and a forensic dentist. He has been actively involved in the practice, teaching and research in the field of forensic dentistry since 1976. He obtained his bachelor degree in dentistry at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1970 and went into private practice in Britain . He returned to RSA and set up practice in Durban. He specialized in Oral Pathology at the University of Stellenbosch in 1983 while maintaining an active forensic interest. After a visit to the United Kingdom in 1989 he coordinated a postgraduate diploma and an MSc course in forensic dentistry at Stellenbosch University . He has published numerous articles on forensic dentistry and has 2 chapters in forensic textbooks. To date he has trained 35 forensic dentists who are all in general dental practice and most of whom are on a disaster standby list. He is actively engaged in disaster management in Cape Town and is the Consultant Forensic Dentist for the Western Cape. His hobbies are golf and 4×4 game viewing.
Guy Willems, treasurer
Guy Willems finished his dental studies in 1988 at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium. In 1992 he successfully defended his Ph.D.-thesis at the same university. Related to his clinical training he received the Certificate of postgraduate training in Operative Dentistry with a special emphasis on aesthetic dentistry in 1993 and the Certificate of postgraduate training in Orthodontics in 1996, both at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. Since then he was enrolled for a tenure track position at the Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry , Oral Pathology and Maxillo-facial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium . He is the forensic odontologist of the Centre of Forensic Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. He is founder of the Department of Forensic Odontology at the School of Dentistry , Oral Pathology and Maxillofacial Surgery, teaches forensic odontology at undergraduate and post graduate level and is coordinator of the international Master of Forensic Odontology (www.mfo.be). He devotes a special interest to forensic dental age estimation in individuals and craniofacial reconstruciton.He is author or co-author of over 60 publications in peer-reviewed international scientific journals.
Sonja Boy, editor of the Newsletter
Sonja Boy obtained her BChD degree at the University of Pretoria in 1995. After 2 years of running her own private practice in Pretoria , she specialized in Oral and Maxillo-Facial Pathology at the University of Pretoria . She obtained her degree cum laude in 2001. She is currently appointed as a senior specialist in Oral and Maxillo-facial Pathology at the University of Pretoria and is the author and co-author of several scientific publications in international and national scientific journals. She has delivered various international and national congress presentations and is a member of several professional organisations of Dentistry, General Pathology, Maxillo-Facial Pathology as well as Veterinary Dentistry. She is currently the course organiser of Oral Biology for pre- and post-graduate Dentistry as well as oral hygiene and promoter of several pre-and postgraduate student research projects.
2002 – 2005
Tore Solheim, president
Professor of pathology and forensic odontology in the Dental Faculty of Oslo, Norway. Has been active in forensic odontology since 1971 and has been responsible for the service to the police in Norway since 1974. Member of the Norwegian identification commission connected to the Central Criminal Police Bureau in Oslo since 1975. Accepted by the Department of Justice as a forensic medical expert in odontological questions in 1976. Served many years on the Norwegian delegation to Interpol working commission in “disaster victim identification”. Chairman of the Norwegian Society of Forensic Odontology in several periods. Main research interests are methods of age estimation and analysis of frequencies of dental details for identification and tooth mark comparison.
Sigrid Kvaal, vice president
Bachelor of dental surgery from University of London, 1978 and Doctorate in Odontology from University of Oslo, 1995. Hospital appointments in UK 19781981. Public dental health service in Troms, Norway 1981-82 and private practice in Oslo from 1982. Research fellow (1988 -95), senior research fellow (1999-2003) and clinical instructor (1995- ) at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo. Involved in forensic dentistry since 1988 and thesis on “Age changes in teeth”. Recognized as Forensic Medical Expert in Odontology by Department of Justice, Norway. Chairman in Norwegian Society of Forensic Odontology 1997-01. Involved in ID-work following several mass disasters. Scientific publications within the field of forensic dentistry, dental anthropology and oral medicine.
Leif Grusd, treasurer
Dental education from University of Bonn, Germany. General practitioner in private practice in Oslo Norway. Participated in a number of courses in forensic odontology, and took an active part in identification after mass disasters. Served as an instructor on numerous courses within the field of forensic odontology, and takes part in identifications on a regular basis in cooperation with the Central Criminal Police Bureau in Norway. Treasurer of the Norwegian Society of Forensic Odontology for four years
Wencke Stene-Johansen, editor of the Newsletter
Dental education from University of Oslo Norway 1978. General practitioner in private practice in Oslo. Qualified as a forensic odontologist through a number of courses in Norway and Sweden. Took part in many courses within the field of Forensic Odontology as a lecturer. Member of the Norwegian Identification commission connected to the Central Criminal Police Bureau for 7 years. Taking part in identifications on a regular basis for the Central Criminal Police Bureau. Secretary of the Norwegian Society of Forensic Odontology for four years. Editor of the Newsletter of The Scandinavian Society of Forensic Odontology for 6 years.
1999 – 2002
Eddy De Valck, president
Eddy De Valck graduated from dental school at Catholic University Leuven in 1977 and developed interest in forensic dentistry since then. Subsequently he finished School voor Criminology and Criminalistics, Ministry of Justice, 1978-1979 and obtained a degree as legal expert from Law Faculty, University Ghent in 2000.
Together with working both as a private practitioner and a forensic odontologist he assisted during his professional forensic career to a various number of mass disasters in Belgium and abroad as the chief forensic odontologist of the Belgian DVI team.
He was Past Vice President Scientific of the Interpol DVI Standing Committee (2001-2006) and Founding Member and President of the Flemish Society of Dental Experts. He is involved as a consultant and instructor in different post graduate training programs at universities, the Ministry of Justice and the Belgian Federal Police Forces and has lectured at universities and congresses in different continents.
As a published author he has articles in national and international forensic and dental magazines and journals and co-authored books on forensic odontology and legal medicine.
Guy Willems, treasurer
Guy Willems finished his dental studies in 1988 at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium. In 1992 he successfully defended his Ph.D.-thesis at the same university. Related to his clinical training he received the Certificate of postgraduate training in Operative Dentistry with a special emphasis on aesthetic dentistry in 1993 and the Certificate of postgraduate training in Orthodontics in 1996, both at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. Since then he was enrolled for a tenure track position at the Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry , Oral Pathology and Maxillo-facial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium . He is the forensic odontologist of the Centre of Department of Forensic Odontology at the School of Dentistry , Oral Pathology and Maxillofacial Surgery, teaches forensic odontology at undergraduate and post graduate level and is coordinator of the international Master of Forensic Odontology (www.mfo.be). He devotes a special interest to forensic dental age estimation in individuals and craniofacial reconstruciton.He is author or co-author of over 60 publications in peer-reviewed international scientific journals.
Dr. Francis De Ketelaere, Secretary
Francis De Ketelaere finished his medical studies at Univerity Gent in 1985 and subsequently obtained his dental degree in 1988 followed by a specialization mouth, jaw and face dentistry – stomatology in Bremen and Essen – Germany 1993:
Professional activity
Since 1993 he works as a physician-specialist in oral, maxillofacial surgery and medical head of department for oral, maxillofacial surgery – stomatology at AZ Sint-Lucas, Bruges. He is an active member of the Association of Flemish Dentists (VVT) and the Flemish Association of Dental Experts (VVTE). He is also active as part of the Royal Belgian Society for Stomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery (KBVSMFH) and the European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery (EACMFS)
International Association Of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (IAOMS)
1996 – 1999
Håkan Mörnstad, president and editor of the Newsletter
Born in Malmö, Sweden, in 1942. Graduated from the Faculty of Odontology at the University of Lund in 1967. Postgraduate studies in oral pathology, PhD and docent in oral pathology in 1977. Associate professor in cariology at the University of Umeå 1978 – 1990. From 1990 full time forensic odontologist at the National Board of Forensic Medicine, Stockholm. Involved in forensic odontology since 1975. President of the Swedish Society of Forensic Odontology since 1986.
Leif Kullman, Secretary
Born in Norrköping, Sweden, in 1946. Graduated from the Faculty of Odontology at the University of Lund in 1975. Postgraduate studies in oral radiology, PhD in oral radiology in 1995. Assistant professor in oral radiology at the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, since 1982. Involved in forensic odontology since 1982. Secretary of the Swedish Society of Forensic Odontology since 1986.
Aina Teivens, Treasurer
Born in Riga, Latvia, in 1942. Graduated from the Faculty of Odontology at the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, in 1967. Working in hospital dentistry since 1970. Assistant in forensic odontology at the Karolinska Institutet since 1988. Treasurer of the Swedish Society of Forensic Odontology since 1986.
Cyril Thomas, Editor of The Journal of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology,
Born in South Africa in 1938. Graduated BDS from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 1961, and joined the same University as lecturer in 1964. Developed an interest in Prosthodontics and in 1972 appointed head of Department of Dental Prosthetics, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town. PhD in 1983 and in 1988 appointed to the University of Sydney, Australia, in the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry. Forensic odontology has been an interest for at least 20 years, and now, combining a love of the written word, editor of the Journal of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology.
1990 – 1996
† Klaus Rötzscher, president
Passed away on October 21, 2014
He was born on July 25th Born in Buchholz/Saxony in 1933 and studied medicine and dentistry at the University of Leipzig. After receiving his doctorate in 1957 “Dr. med.” he was initially three years as general practitioner in the outpatient clinic Groitzsch, district of Borna near Leipzig. 1967 recognition as a specialist in forensic medicine and 1968 – after completing Dentistry studies, the doctorate to the “Dr. medical dent.” In these years he specialized in the field of forensic stomatology. During this time he continued to devote himself with great Commitment of forensic OdontoStomatologie, became a member of the AKFOS. He is recognized at home and abroadexpert in this specialty.In the years 1990 to 1996 he was President of the International Organization for Forensic Odonto-Stomatology (IOFOS)”.
1984 – 1990
† Kenneth Brown, president
1981 – 1984
Ian Hill, president
Prof. Dr. Ian R. Hill was born in Manchester in 1939 and studied Medicine at University of Cambridge where he obtained M.A. M.B. and B.Chir. degree. He subsequently studied dentistry at Sheffield University. While serving in the R.A.F as a pathologist he worked in Western Germany, Wegberg Base. He has been a member of the DVI team of the Royal Air Force as a speciliast in aircraft accidents, both military and civil.
1978 – 1981
† Soren Keiser-Nielsen, president
1975 – 1978
† Reidar Sognnaes, president
1973 – 1975
† Gosta Gustafson, president