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Sheriff deputizes three
men who specialize in forensic dentistry.
Porter County
Sheriff David Reynolds, left, signs the deputy badges of three area dentists,
from left, James Cahillane, Dennis Block, and Stephen Lucas Friday following a
press conference at the Sheriff's office. (Ed Collier / The
Times)
VALPARAISO -- Before Melissa Draus was stabbed to death in
Portage eight years ago, she bit one of her attackers. Last year, Lorraine Kirkley did the same thing when David Malinski sexually
assaulted and killed her. As those women fought for their lives, the marks they left behind --
positively identified by forensic dentists -- played a role in the conviction of
their killers.
Friday, Sheriff David Reynolds swore in three area dentists -- two of whom
worked on those high-profile murder cases -- to create an investigative team for
his department and the Porter County Coroner's Office.
They are Dr. James W. Cahillane, who has an office at 407 N. Wisconsin St.,
Hobart, Dr. Stephen l. Lucas who has a practice at 423 Sand Creek Drive,
Chesterton, and Dr. Dennis A. Block, an oral surgeon who has a practice at 911
Wall St. in Valparaiso and at 61 W. 86th Ave., Merrillville. As part of this team, these special deputies will help identify bite marks --
something Lucas said is as positive as a fingerprint, identify remains through
dental records and help identify the method of attack if a person's face is
injured.
The men are specially trained for the role.
"As far as the sheriff's department is concerned, I think we are very
fortunate to have the services of these dedicated professionals who are willing
to assist our investigators in difficult and often high-profile cases," Reynolds
said.
"The expertise they will provide is invaluable," he said, adding that the
move is long overdue.
Porter County Coroner John Evans, who could not attend Friday's press
conference, said in a press release that the men provide "immeasurable" public
service.
"They have always been willing to assist in the past and are very meticulous
and thorough in their work," Evans said.
Lucas called Reynolds' decision to form the team progressive.
"It's a very big, important part, I think, in law enforcement," he said. He
said what they do, particularly in missing person cases, is to help families.
"That's probably more what a forensic dentist does is, in a lot of cases, is
closure," Lucas said. |
