Specific content in discursive tests on public contests for the position of forensic odontologist and criminal expert (area: odontology) in Brazil.

Abstract

Public exams became popular and, in Dentistry, the positions of Forensic Odontologist and Criminal Expert, depending on the State, offer good payments and careers for those interested in the criminal field. The preparation for this type of exam is complex, so it must be as thorough and objective as possible. The aim of this study was to analyze specific content of the discursive tests on public exams held in Brazil from 1999 to 2024 for the position of Forensic Odontologist (or similar nomenclature) and Criminal Expert (if it had places directly and specifically to dentists). Among the 64 exams held during this period, 31 discursive tests were found. Of the discursive exams analyzed, only 17 had questions related to Forensic Dentistry. These questions were divided into 11 categories, according to the topics covered. It was concluded that the topics “Forensics and Experts (criminal area)”, “Identity and Human Identification (primary methods)” and “Forensic Anthropology”, were the most addressed, in these public examantion for forensic careers in Dentistry.