JULY-AUGUST 2020 Pakistan Edition DENTAL TRIBUNE 11 An exclusive interview with Dr Humayun Continued from page 4 deceased to their loved ones. Our goal is not to get fame. By the grace of Allah, I am an international consultant. I perform consultancy for two international organizations. It is very insignificant for me if someone demands fame all over the world. There are many organizations of forensic Odontology in America; there is an American Board of Forensic Odontology in Britain, there is the British Association for Forensic Odontology, also called BAFO. In the Royal College of London, Forensic Odontology has a separate chapter. Along with these, there is a division of ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) that look after forensic. I am their tutor for the past five years. I give lectures there. The science of forensic Odontology is given importance on a global level because it's a cost-effective science. After the training, a forensic odontologist can perform the same tasks that many machines cannot do and with very cheap tools like simple X-rays. I am mentioning here about identification processes. This is why dental identification is the quickest, affordable and reliable. In Interpol, there is a sub-committee on Disaster Victim Identification, and there is a chair available in forensic Odontology. I am a contact to that committee in Pakistan. By the grace of Allah, our standards are being monitored by all agencies. Since we are doctors, we are not technicians; we never felt the need to write 'scientist' before our name or get worried about writing 'Dr.' before our name. We are already blessed with respect by Almighty Allah. That's why those who need it, they talk about it. DTP: It is a general perspective that DNA testing is a better way forward than Dental Identification. Your views on this? HT: As I have mentioned before, as doctors, we have social acceptance. The DNA test is performed in the lab. You also know technicians do that lab testing. Technicians are called 'lab- tech' or 'DNA-tech'. These are very common terminologies. In America, just to elevate themselves, are referred to as 'Scientists'. You can look up the definition of a scientist. I won't talk much about it because I don't want to belittle anyone. My only purpose of coming here was to handover the deceased to their loved ones for which Allah has given me success for my efforts and those who have created obstacles in these tasks or they are questioning; I rest their case to Allah. As far as the authentication of Forensic Odontology is concerned, I request all of you to look up the website of DVI (Disaster Victim of Identification) of Interpol, DVI website which can be shared. It's written in English there are some steps mentioned in it. Kindly read them, and I request to go through it, 2-3 times. You will get an idea that DVI process, Disaster Victim Identification Process, the importance of dental identification. The Law of Universe is to use that science which is more cost-effective. If you try to shoot an ant with a cannon, then no one will call you smart even if you have a specialist for that in the country. The collection of dental data is no big deal. We initiated the dental data registry, last year, in 1st UHS Dental Conference. Our Vice-Chancellor in University of Health Sciences (UHS), D r J a v e d A k r a m , u n d e r h i s chairmanship. But since no response was given from the Government authorities, we were unable to work. Our mission was to compile the National Data Registry that can have verified data in case of such incidents through which we can identify people instantly, and not much funding has to be done for that. Not like billion of rupees because people here take billions of rupees just for their salary. We can work within the salary of a doctor or as a specialist. Then there is training for the people who are involved in it. We don't have to go anywhere else internationally. England, America, Australia etc. are provide training for this. I am also planning to initiate practice in Pakistan. The department is under in process, and we will start as soon as possible but to say that dental identification has no worth is not valid! DTP: What is the importance of identification? HT: Identity is essential. If we don't have a character, then nothing can work in society. Identity is a fundamental human right. United Nations and the Geneva Convention h a s m e n t i o n e d t h i s w i t h o u t identification; no human body can have a death certificate issued. Without the issuance of the death certificate, many issues can arise, like claims, re- marriage, distribution of properties. The death certificate cannot be released without identity. Look, as far as emotions are c o n c e r n e d , b e i n g a f o r e n s i c professional and a doctor, I have to focus on my work. I won't be able to perform if I involve emotions. Secondly, administrator issues are always there. But, I am thankful that I am provided with certain things like I was presented with the Mobile hospital from Sindh Government. At least, my team and I were given a clean space to work in, but since its placement was above ground level. We were facing trouble to shift bodies, up and down. Police gave us security and looked after us well. PIA, PDMA, N D M A , S i n d h G o v e r n m e n t ' s Rehabilitation Department, the people from these departments were also working with us. But it is such a tedious process. As I have said earlier, I will write a detailed report on the problems faced and their possible solutions. I believe that my Vice- Chancellor has already planned a lot of things within these couple of days. We soon, through the platform of the University of Health Sciences will give a piece of excellent news. DTP: What is the scope for Forensic Odontology for young dentists? HT: See, the profession of medicine is very noble, and in my personal opinion, only those should opt who from the very start doesn't have the desire to earn big financially. Dentistry, all over the world, its demand, its value, its scope is excellent. We also need to change our attitude somewhat. Attitude towards the profession needs to be replaced. Students usually ask me, 'what is the scope of Forensic Odontology in Pakistan?' To be honest, I disgust this word 'scope.' My response to them is that it's the very same scope that dentistry has. Ten years back, when I came back to Pakistan, I was also mocked. I was also called 'rich spoilt guy.' I, later on, got appointed in Government services. I kept on working in it. I never asked in the very same Government job. Allah put my services into many tasks. Hard work is under your control. The result of which is under Almighty Allah's command. This questioning of scope from others according to me, this very question is wrong. If you are not practising in dentistry, then you might do something else. If you are not doing clinical after graduating, you will opt for some other field. See, the thing is that I am not an 'Astrology Guru' that I can tell you about scope. Why don't we have trust in Allah's plans? Being a Muslim, why do we forget this that the things written in your fate, will ultimately come to you. The rizk written in your destiny cannot be given to someone else by Allah. My advice to all young dental students is to make your basics secure and then opt for specialization. New graduates should spend 2-3 years in Private or Government clinical practice so that they can get hands-on exposure with patients, and then move towards specialization and decide. The advantage of which will be your vision will be broadened, and your observational skills will develop. DTP: Do you think that Dental Identification is suffering due to lack of Administrative infrastructure? HT: Yes, very much. Unfortunately, people here have an identity crisis, and they get scared. I have my jurisdiction. I am not a DNA expert. Neither have I worked in DNA technology nor a technician. I am just a doctor. I don't go beyond my jurisdiction, and as a true professional, I don't call any science wrong, since I have my training. Now such people who have spent their lives in lab testings and have started their life as a technician because PhD programs are offered in lab technology etc. It doesn't make you a doctor. Yes a PhD doctor, for sure, but the status enjoyed by us can never be same for them. My suggestion to the concerned authority is that we should form the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) unit in Pakistan at the earliest, in which people of various specialities will be included related to the identification. Such groups are all over the world, UK DVI, DVI Italia, Australian forensics, there are so many. Our neighbouring country, Malaysia, developed one after the Tsunami. We need Pakistan DVI unit and since I am trained and know how to manage that DVI unit, how to operative administratively, my master's program project was on DVI protocols and we can do this. We don't need massive funding. We don't need that much for this. We don't need crores! Equipment is required in this, but they are not much expensive. This system is somewhat already present but to bring them on one page and to form central command and control centre, that is very important. This is what the DVI unit does. It is inactive and then gets active, suddenly and streamline things, all by itself which can make things a lot easier. DTP: Your special message for our readers? HT: Disaster Victim Identification, Pakistan is the future. All the dental surgeons and citizens have to work collectively on this. We have to save our dental record, and I hope that we will get successful in forming National Dental Registry soon and we wouldn't have to opt for expensive techniques, by the will of Almighty Allah. We will quickly become capable of that. I request you all to pray. Thank you very much.