After the deceased hostage Ran Gvili's body was brought back to Israel on Monday, one of the fastest and most central tools in criminal identification came into focus: forensic dental identification. The method is among the most reliable when conditions at the scene do not allow for full visual or biometric identification.
In the case of Gvili, as in previous situations involving casualties and hostages, forensic dentists operated directly in the field, which is sometimes done under fire or in a devastated environment, to determine whether there was a match between the dental structure of the body and known medical records.
The method relies on a unique dental structure, past imaging, and existing dental records. It enables an initial determination within a short time, even under harsh conditions, and before laboratory testing is completed.
The first stage begins with a visual examination of the oral cavity. A forensic dentist inspects the upper and lower jaws, the position of the teeth, their number, shape, and occlusal condition.
Each tooth has a fixed number in the international system, and the overall structure of the jaw, including gaps, curvature, old fractures, root canal treatments, crowns, and fillings, effectively forms a personal biological signature.
How teeth enable rapid forensic identification
Even in the absence of soft tissue, teeth survive heat, moisture, and severe trauma well, which is why they serve as a central tool in identification.
The next stage involves comparison with existing data. In many cases, especially when dealing with Israeli civilians, soldiers, or former prisoners, prior dental records are available, including X-rays, treatment files, or orthodontic evaluations.
These records are held by health funds, the IDF, the Israel Prison Service, or other medical bodies, and are transferred rapidly to identification authorities. Matching is based on unique characteristics, not only the number of teeth but also angles, heights, tooth spacing, and previous restorations.
When a clear match is established, an initial dental identification can already be made in the field. This identification is not legally final, but it allows the system to act quickly, update relevant authorities, and continue the identification process.
In many cases, as with the identification of Yahya Sinwar, dental structures provided a clear indication even before additional tests were completed.
The next stage takes place in the laboratory. The body or parts of it are transferred for further examination, usually to the Israel Police's identification laboratories or to the National Institute of Forensic Medicine. There, biological samples such as tissue, teeth, or bones are collected for DNA testing. These tests are intended to unequivocally confirm the identification made in the field.
DNA tests are based on extracting genetic material from cells and comparing it with existing genetic profiles or with samples from first-degree relatives. This process is carried out using PCR technologies, which enable amplification of DNA segments even when the original quantity is extremely small.
In cases where samples are damaged, mitochondrial DNA, which is passed through the mother and is better preserved under harsh conditions, can also be used.
It is important to emphasize that dental identification does not stand alone. It is part of a professional chain that includes pathologists, forensic anthropologists, DNA experts, and forensic physicians. Its greatest advantage is speed.
While laboratory tests may take hours or longer, dental identification allows a clear picture to emerge at the scene, even when time is critical, and the security situation is complex.
In Israel, where emergency events, terrorist attacks, and wars have become an ongoing reality, a unique level of expertise has developed in this field. Forensic dentists undergo dedicated training and operate as an integral part of the national identification system.
In the case of Ran Gvili, as in previous cases, their work enabled rapid and dignified identification, even under the most difficult conditions, providing families and the state with a clear, accurate, and doubt-free answer.