Catherine Storer

Dr Catherine Storer

Forensic odontologist

Adelaide Dental School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences


Current Research:

I am currently an PhD (Dentistry) candidate in the specialist field of forensic odontology, supervised by Dr. Denice Higgins and Dr. John Berketa.

My research, Improving Scientific Validity of Antemortem Dental Data Transcription looks at the antemortem phase of dental identification. Accuracy in the interpretation and transcription of antemortem dental data is paramount as it is compared to the postmortem dental data to reconcile an identity.

The aim of my research is to improve the objectivity in transcribing dental data while reducing the influence of human error and interpretation. An evaluation of the variation in antemortem data transcription using current methodology will be undertaken, followed by the develop a standardised, computer aided transcription procedure which will then be tested and the variation results compared to those of the original methodology.

 

Previous Research:

My research component for my Graduate Diploma in Forensic Odontology (2015), Tooth Wear and other Dental Characteristics in Aboriginal Australian Skulls, Narungga, Yorke Peninsula, SA, studied a specific population of Aboriginal Australian skulls. The aim was to narrow the gap in knowledge of the oral condition of pre-contemporary Narungga by documenting various types of tooth wear and other infectious, degenerative, developmental and genetic conditions and analysing their significance within the population. The documentation of tooth wear and other dental conditions has shown the Narungga had a similar dental condition to that of previously studied pre-contact Aboriginal Australian populations, however, in some cases with differing incidence and prevalence. Previous studies have also reported that while there is a general dental pattern for hunter-gatherer populations there is variation between the tribes that reflect culture differences and male and female role variations.

 

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2017 - ongoing Higher Degree by Research Candidate University of Adelaide
    2015 - ongoing Forensically Trained Dentist University of Adelaide
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    2013 - 2015 University of Adelaide Australia G Dip For Odont
    2005 - 2009 University of Adelaide Australia BDS
  • Research Interests

  • Journals

    Year Citation
    2021 Storer, C. A., Berketa, J., & Higgins, D. (2021). Dental identification practices across Australia. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 54(5), 1-14.
    DOI Scopus1
    2020 Storer, C., Berketa, J., & Higgins, D. (2020). Is human identification by dental comparison a scientifically valid process?. Science and Justice, 60(5), 403-405.
    DOI Scopus5 WoS2 Europe PMC1
    2019 Berketa, J., Sims, C., & Al Adawiyah Binti Rahmat, R. (2019). The utilization of small amounts of residual endodontic material for dental identification. The Journal of forensic odonto-stomatology, 1(37), 63-65.
    Scopus4 Europe PMC1
  • Tutor for second and third-year BDS sim-clinic in 2014.
  • Tutor for first-year BDS sim-clinic in 2016 and 2017.
  • Tutor for first-year BDS clinic 2019.
  • Memberships

    Date Role Membership Country
    2020 - ongoing Member Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society Australia
    2018 - ongoing Member Australian Society of Forensic Odontology Australia
  • Position: Forensic odontologist
  • Phone: 83136292
  • Email: catherine.storer@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Helen Mayo South, floor S3
  • Org Unit: Adelaide Dental School

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External Profiles