Pakistan launches first national forensic odontology association to strengthen medicolegal investigations

LAHORE: Pakistan has formally established its first national forensic odontology body, marking a significant step toward integrating dental science into the country’s medicolegal and judicial systems.

The newly registered Pakistan Association of Forensic Odontology (PAFO) has opened membership registration for dental professionals, forensic experts, researchers, academics and students, with the aim of advancing forensic dentistry and standardizing its practice nationwide.

The association will be led by Dr Humayoun Temoor Baig as president and Dr Muhammad Afrasiab Khan as general secretary. Dr Baig is widely recognized as Pakistan’s first qualified forensic odontologist and has played a key role in introducing forensic dentistry into the country’s medicolegal framework.

Trained under the INTERPOL Elite Panel and New Scotland Yard, Dr Baig has served in Punjab’s Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department since 2011. He also led dental identification operations during major aviation disasters, including the Pakistan International Airlines Flight 661 crash, where forensic dental examinations contributed to victim identification later confirmed through DNA analysis.

Dr Khan, affiliated with Khyber College of Dentistry, has been instrumental in developing forensic odontology services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

PAFO aims to strengthen the use of dental evidence in criminal investigations, disaster victim identification, age estimation and judicial proceedings. The association also plans to promote forensic odontology education, professional training and collaboration with regulatory and law enforcement institutions to address Pakistan’s growing medicolegal needs.