Final answer:
Unknown victims in forensic investigations are often identified using dental records, part of forensic odontological methods, which are a significant component within the broader field of forensic anthropology. These methods enable the identification of individuals even in highly decomposed states, and they play a crucial role in contemporary and historic forensic cases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Identification of unknown victims using forensic odontological methods is most often made using dental records. Forensic anthropology, a subfield of biological anthropology, involves analyzing human remains to answer questions about a victim's demise, utilizing a scientific approach to solve crimes mainly in situations where death has occurred. By comparing the dental records of victims with those on file, identification is made possible, even in situations where the body is decomposed or otherwise unrecognizable. These examinations take place often in medical examiner's offices, with forensic anthropologists assisting in autopsies and investigations of skeletal remains, determining various biological aspects like age, sex, and height, which are then provided to forensic pathologists to assist in deducing the cause of death. They employ scientific tools and techniques, including DNA sequencing, RFLP analysis, and the use of MALDI-TOF for rapid identification of microorganisms linked to the forensic context. Further, the role of forensic anthropologists extends to historical contexts, as seen with the analysis of remains from the Jamestown colony to confirm instances of cannibalism, demonstrating the versatility and profound impact of the field of forensic anthropology in both contemporary and historical investigations.