What is the primary function of forensic odontology?

Forensic odontology primarily focuses on identifying individuals through their dental records. This discipline is critical in situations where a person's identity is unknown, such as in cases of disaster, mass casualties, or where the remains are too decomposed for traditional identification methods. Dentists can analyze dental structures, which are unique to each individual, and compare them to existing dental records to provide a positive identification.

This method is not only vital for identifying victims but also plays a role in criminal cases where bite marks may be evidence. The unique patterns of an individual's teeth make dental records a reliable source for identification, reinforcing the importance of forensic odontology in the justice system.

The other options, while related to forensic science, do not accurately represent the core function of forensic odontology. Analyzing crime scene photographs pertains to digital forensics and crime scene investigation techniques, psychological assessments relate to forensic psychology, and collecting and preserving physical evidence is a broader aspect of forensic science that encompasses many different specialties but does not specifically address the unique role of forensic odontology.