With over 26 years of academic and forensic expertise, Dr. Jaysankar P. Pillai has made significant contributions to the field of forensic odontology and dental research. He currently serves as a tutor in the Department of Oral & Maxillo-Facial Pathology at Govt. Dental College and Hospital, Ahmedabad, and his career is a proof of his dedication to the forensic science domain.
He has been awarded the Forensic Excellence Award at the 15th IASR International Conference on Forensic Science for his tremendous dedication and contribution to the forensic odontology domain.
Academic Excellence
After graduating with a BDS from the Mahatma Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Dental Science, Pondicherry, in 1997, Dr. Pillai advanced his forensic odontology qualifications by completing a Fellowship from the Indian Board of Forensic Odontology (IBFO) in 2015. His commitment to academic excellence led him to earn a Master’s degree in Forensic Odontology with a Gold Medal from Gujarat Forensic Sciences University (GFSU). He is currently pursuing a PhD at National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU).
Forensic Expertise and Casework
Over the years, Dr. Pillai has played a key role in forensic investigations, having handled more than 500 medico-legal cases, including age estimations and sex identifications. His expertise in skeletal remains investigations and bite mark analysis has been crucial in numerous cases referred by the Forensic Medicine department of BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad. Dr. Pillai possesses specialized knowledge in age estimation, which has proved significant in cases under the POCSO Act, 2012, where he has appeared as an expert witness in Gujarat Sessions Courts.
Contributions to Research and Academia
Dr. Pillai’s scholarly work is widely recognized in both national and international forums. He got his research papers published in prestigious journals, including Forensic Science International Reports, Medico-Legal Journal, Egyptian Journal of Forensic Science, and the Indian Journal of Dental Research. He has also contributed to the advancement of knowledge in oral medicine and oral pathology.
Dr. Pillai is also associated with professional bodies on a large scale. He is a Board of Directors in the Association of Forensic Odontology for Human Rights (AFOHR) and currently serves as the Honorary Secretary of the Indian Association of Forensic Odontology (IAFO).
Recognitions and Awards
Dr. Pillai has received several prestigious awards throughout his career, including the Fellowship Award from the Indian Society for Dental Research (ISDR) in 2007 for his contributions to dental research. He also received the Founder President Award for Excellence in Dental Research from ISDR in 2010. Most recently, he was named the Forensic Odontologist of the Year 2023 by Cynodent (International and Indian Society of Dentistry), a proof of his dedication to forensic science and his impactful work in the field.
Dr. Ranjeet Singh, along with IASR, Sherlock Institute of Forensic Science, Clue4Evidence Forensic Lab, and the entire organizing committee, acknowledges Dr. Jaysankar P. Pillai for being a leading figure in forensic odontology and whose decades-long commitment to both academia and forensic casework has left a lasting impact on the field. We wish his work in age estimation, bite mark analysis, and his ongoing contributions to dental research continue to inspire the next generation of forensic professionals.