Michael N. Sobel, Dmd, D-Abfo, Ret. – April Speaker

MICHAEL N. SOBEL, DMD, D-ABFO (ret.)

Photography and evidence documentation in the forensic sciences must meet a rigid and high standard for acceptance in legal systems and courts of law. With over 50 years of forensic science experience and a retired Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Odontology and a retired Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Dr. Michael Sobel aims to present an overview of this field. Besides presenting technical and practical aspects of forensic photography, actual examples of cases will be used as illustrations.

The presentation will consist of an Apple Keynote illustrated lecture lasting about 50-60 minutes discussing guidelines, protocols, and real-life case examples. 

Dr. Michael N. Sobel has served in the capacity of Chief Forensic Odontologist for the Allegheny County (Pittsburgh, PA) Coroner’s Office from 1970-2008 (currently the Medical Examiner’s Office). He had been appointed as a Special Investigations Advisor to the Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Police Departments and acted as a Forensic Dental Advisor to the Pennsylvania State Police. He has been a Diplomate in the American Board of Forensic Odontology since 1989 (currently retired status). In addition, he is a Retired Fellow in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and a retired member of the American Society of Forensic Odontology. As the author of a number of professional papers, articles, and book chapters on forensic odontology, Dr. Sobel remains active with his main forensic research interests including human abuse evaluation, patterned skin mark assessment, and photographic and computer enhancement of forensic evidence. He was the original investigator in the first fingernail scratch identification case adjudicated before the courts. He has testified in numerous cases for both defense and prosecution in the field of forensic odontology. Dr. Sobel also lectures in the Osher Lifelong Learning Program at Carnegie-Mellon University and at the University of Pittsburgh. In recent years he was the Chair of the Human Abuse and Neglect Committee of the American Board of Forensic Odontology.