Dr Derek Clark

Derek Clark is an independent Forensic Odontologist. Originally qualifying as a registered Nurse specialising in neuro surgery, he graduated BDS from London University and LDS from the Royal College of Surgeons in 1961 and followed a career in general dental practice, specialising in anaesthesia and oral surgery. In 1980 he studied forensic odontology at the London Hospital department of Forensic Medicine and at the Walter Reed Army Hospital, Washington DC, joining an international team specialising in transport major disasters. He dealt with the identification of victims in 23 disasters such as Zebrugge, Piper Alpha and Lockerbie in the UK and in Siberia, Krygyzstan, Nepal, Thailand, Indonesia, Colombia, Japan, Abu Dhabi, The Former Yugoslavia and the WFP identification team in Pristina, Kosovo. He graduated PhD from London University in 1989 with a thesis 'Postmortem Dental Identification in Mass Disasters' and graduated LL.M from Cardiff law school, University of Wales in 2001. He is a past president of the British Association of Forensic Odontology and editor of the textbook 'Practical Forensic Odontology'.