The odontological identification of Adolf Hitler Definitive documentation by X-rays, interrogations and autopsy findings
REIDAR F. SOGNNAES & FERDINAND STRoM Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Center for the Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California, and Faculty of Odontology, University of Oslo, Norway
Sognnaes, R. F. & F. Strom. The odontological identification of Adolf Hitler. Definitive documentation by X-rays, interrogations and autopsy findings. Acta Odont. Scand. 31, 43-69, 1973.
A definitive odontological identification of Hitler has been based on several sources of documentary evidence: (1) complete testimonies recorded by American intelligence officers during the 1945 interroga- tions of Hitler’s dentist and physicians; (2) attached to one of the above mentioned reports five head X-ray plates taken in 1944 follow- ing an assassination attempt and revealing several very characteristic dental conditions, including (a) a maxillary left central incisor with a radiopaque (metallic) restoration and with a radiolucent zone typical of a so-called ))Window Crown)), (b) a special dental bridge construction in the right mandibular area, in which a radiopaque (metallic) restoration on the right canine is connected by means of a metallic lingual bar to the second premolar with a cantilever extension to replace the first molar, and (c) periodontal bone break- down around the mandibular incisor roots; (3) the above observa- tions were compared with the various dental features depicted jn the Russian autopsy report and discussed in terms of other published reports; (4) the authors’ comparisons and reappraisal of these and other documentary data. The accumulated evidence now provides For personal use only. definite odontologic proof that Hitler did in fact die, and that the Russians did indeed recover and autopsy the right body.
Ke-v-words: Forensic dentistry; forensic medicine; autopsy; history
Ferdinand Strom, Faculty of Odontotogy, University of Oslo, Geit- myrsvn. 69, Oslo, Norway
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London The first exhaustive investigation of the The resulting report of November 1st, last days of Adolf Hitler was undertaken 1945, followed by the book, ))The Last by the Oxford professor Dr. H. R. Trevor- Days of Hitler)) by Trevor-Roper (1947), Roper in 1945. The British Intelligense appeared to leave little doubt in the authorities in Germany in September of Western world that Hitler had indeed that year had given him the task to collect met his end. Furthermore, in the intro- all available evidence on the last days of duction to the third edition of his book, Hitler and to determine, if possible, the published in 1956, Trevor-Roper concluded truth about his disappearance or demise. that there was considerable circumstantial
Received for publication, December 5, 1972. 44 REIDAR F. SOGNNAES AND FERDINAND STROM
evidence that Hitler’s remains must have Kell\, (1965), who had occasion to prepare come into the hands of the Russians who his sketch from the U.S. Army report by first occupied Berlin in 1945. his fellow officers who in 1945-46 had However as late as in 1965. The Soviet interviewed Hitler’s captured dentist, Dr. General Boltin. one of the co-editors of Hugo Blaschke. the Russian War Histor). stated to the With reference to our comparative )>Spiegeln correspondent Eric Kubv, that observations on data reported in the past. as far as he (Boltin) was concerned. it became apparent that there were certain Hitler’s body had not been found (k‘ubv, descriptive discrepancies, subject to sub- 1965). Even today no official Soviet jective interpretation. Most regrettably statement has been released regarding the there were not to be found the kind of death of Adolf Hitler. objective documentation illustrating defini- In 1968 the Russian writer Lev Bez.1.- tive x-ray observations. If available, much iiienski published in West Germany a more conclusive evidence could be book entitled >>DerToti des Adolf Hitler)) provided to supplement the information (The Death of Adolf Hitler. J 968 b). based on memory through personal inter- Ber)*mrwski’s book carried the subtitle: rogation. ~)C‘nkno~~nDocirtnents from Soviet Ar- Under these circumstances it seemed diives)). Thus. twenty-three years after important to us (a) to re-explore all the events. Soviet sources finally per- available reports by American, British and mitted disclosure of details of the autopsy Russian investigators placed on record with various dental and medical data on in the published literature, and (b) to the death of Adolf Hitler as well as Eva seek out original archives and documents Braun; Goebbels and his family, General through which further research might For personal use only. Krebs and two dogs. These documents contribute to a conclusive settlement of provided us at long last the possibility controversial questions regarding Hitler’s to evaluate what might justify the claim fate and identity. that the Russians had recovered and identified with >)faircertainty)> the corpse MATERIAL of Adolf Hitler. Bezymenski’s report included for the The following types of observations served first time photographs of Hitler’s partially as documentary evidence for the analysis,
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London burned remains. including his dental correlation and conclusion reached in this bridgework and some of his natural teeth study: still in the lower jaw bone. However. I. Documents from Soviet archives, no x-rays were reproduced to indicate any originally recorded during Hitler’s alleged clear-cut conformity between subjective autopsy in May 1945. and published for clinical and objective roentgenological the first time by Bezynienski in 1968. observations. 2. Currently declassified documents In between these two major reports of from American archives, originally recor- British and Russian origins. which were ded during the 1945-46 interrogation of in book format, there appeared in 1965 a Hitler’s dentist and filed in the head- brief summary chart on the dental status quarters of the USA National Archives of Adolf Hitler prepared by a former and Records Service, Washington, D.C. captain in the U.S. Army. Dr. Ellsu~orth 3. Recently located roentgenological THE ODONTOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF ADOLF HITLER 45
evidence in the form of five authenticated 1. Descriptive information * head x-ray plates, originally taken of Hitler during late 1944 and uncovered The autopsy report ))concerning the in early 1972 while one of the authors forensic examination of a male corpse (RFS) was searching wartime medical disfigured by fire (presumably the corpse files at a satellite U.S. federal archive of Hitler))) is given verbatim as ~Docu- facility in the town of Suitland, Mary- ment 12~in Bezymenski’s book. The land. report dated May 8, 1945, originates from The evaluation of these several sources Mortuary CAFS (Surgical Army Field of information will be introduced with Hospital) at Berlin-Buch. It commences further details on the collection and nature with the composition of the commission of the material. Particular reference will with their ranks and titles, followed by a be made to the validity and objectivity detailed description of the examination of the documentation vis a vis the specula- of the charred remains. tions, hearsay and even legends and myths The first part of the external examina- that still surround this enigma, as exenipli- tion, dealing mainly with the head and the fied bq recent writings in Germany (Maser, teeth is here reprinted as cited from the 1971). We shall make little reference to autopsy report in the English version of much of the often repeated and already Bezymenski’s book (1968b, pp. 44-46): widely published and publicized state- ))The remains of a male corpse dis- ments from those who claim inside in- figured by fire were delivered in a formation from various unconfirmed re- wooden box (Length 163 cm., Width ports and individual sources. Instead, we 55 cm., Height 53 cm.) On the body shall emphasize some of the most reliable
For personal use only. was found a piece of yellow jersey, objective kinds of data available to 25 x 8 cm., charred around the edges, forensic science, notably the odontological resembling a knitted undervest. findings and especially the newly un- In view of the fact that the corpse is covered x-ray evidence. greatly damaged, it is difficult to gauge the age of the deceased. Pre- sumably it lies between 50 and 60 years. SOVIET ARCHIVES The dead man’s height is 165 cm. (the measurements are approximate since Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London The wartime autopsy documents from the tissue is charred), the right shinbone Soviet Archives, first recorded in May, measures 39 cm. The corpse is severely 1945, were not reported until 1968 by the charred and smells of burned flesh. Soviet journalist, Lev Bezymenski, first Part of the cranium is missing. in a German edition (1968a) and then Parts of the occipital bone, the left immediately in an English edition (1968b). temporal bone, the lower cheekbones, We will primarily be citing the English the nasal bones, and the upper and edition with a few cross-references to the lower jaws are preserved. The burns German version when indicated. The discussion to follow will concentrate on * The information quoted below from the Soviet three sub-topics: namely, descriptive, autopsy report is reprinted by permission of photographic and diagrammatic informa- Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc. from ))The Death of Adolf Hiilem by Bezymenski, C 1968 tion. by Christian Wegner Verlag, Hamburg. 46 KEIDAR F. SOGNNAES AND FERDINAND STROM
are more pronounced on the right side cavity. The alveolar processes are of the cranium than on the left. In broken in the back and have ragged the brain cavity parts of the fire- edges. The front surface and the lower damaged brain and of the dura mater edge of the mandibula are scorched. are visible. On face and body the skin On the front surface the charred prongs is completely missing: only remnants of dental roots are recognizable. The of charred muscles are preserved. There lower jaw consists of fifteen teeth, ten are many small cracks in the nasal of which are artificial. The incisors bone and the upper jawbones. The (2 17 p)and the first right bicuspid tongue is charred. its tip is firmly (41 ) are natural, exhibiting considerable locked between the teeth of the upper wear on the masticating surface and and lower jaws. considerably exposed necks. The dental In the upper jaw there are nine teeth enamel has a bluish shimmer and a dirty connected by a bridge of yellow metal yellow coloration around the necks. (gold). The bridge is anchored by pins The teeth to the left (p,13, p, and 1%) on the second left and the second right are artificial. of yellow metal (gold), incisor. This bridge consists of 4 upper and consist of a bridge of gold crowns. incisors (21 k)*.2 canine teeth The bridge is fastened to the third. (31_- 13). the first !eft bicuspid (14). and the fifth (in the bridge, the sixth tooth), the first and second right bGuspids and the eight tooth (in the bridge, the (41 51). as indicated in the sketch. ninth tooth). The second bicuspid to the The-first left incisor (b) consists of a right (71) is topped by a crown of yellow white platelet. whith cracks and a black metal (gold) which is linked to the right spot in the porcelain (enamel) at the canine tooth by an arching plate. Part For personal use only. bottom. This platelet is inset into the of the masticating surface and the visible side of the metal (gold) tooth. posterior surface of the right canine The second incisor. the canine tooth. tooth is capped by a yellow metal (gold) and the left bicuspid, as well as the plate as part of the bridge. The first right first and second incisors and the first molar is artificial, white, and secured by bicuspid on the right. are the usual a gold clip connected with the bridge porcelain (enamel) dental plates. their of the second bicuspid and the right
posterior parts fastened to the bridge. incisor. ))
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London The right canine tooth is fully capped With translations and retyping through by yellow metal (gold). The maxillary Russian. German, and English it is to be bridge is vertically sawed off behind expected that certain technical terms are the second left bicuspid 5 ). The lower (I not readdy explained while specific jawbone lies loose in the singed oral designations may even cause more or less * Ediroriol fuorwfe: The journal normally uses obvious misprints. We have been on the the F.D.I. tuo-digit system of designating teeth (Tor reference, see ))Instructions to Constribu- alert to both possibilities and deemed it t orsn ) . appropriate to point out our findings in This system has not been adhered to in the present paper, particularly because the author's detail in the attached footnote.* comparisons have required citations of the accumulated documentary evidence. In order * Some corrections in the translation of the to avoid confusion, two differing systems of details described above are necessary for the designating teeth have not been simultaneously sake of completion of this historical record. Liwd. Firstly, it concerns the following statement: -> THE ODONTOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF A DOLF HITLER 47
In addition to the dental details de- Later on, Bezymenski adds this footnote scribed and reproduced above from the (1968b, p. 47): ))I asked N. Krayevski (the autopsy report published by Bezymenski autopsy pathologist) how it was possible (1968b, p. 44--46), it is stated (p. 47) for the date of May 1 I th, 1945, to appear that certain objects were taken from the in an autopsy report that had been written corpse and handed over to the so-called on May 8. He explained that the report SMERSH Section of the 3rd Soviet Shock had originally been written by hand; only Army on May 8, 1945. These objects later was it decided to add the statements were: ))a maxillary bridge of yellow metal, of Heusermann. As was mentioned above, consisting of 9 teeth; and a singed lower the delay between evidence and conclusion jaw, consisting of 15 teeth.)) Heusermann, is absolutely normal.)) the chair-side dental assistant of Hitler’s In any event, the Soviet autopsy report dentist, Dr. Hugo Blaschke (see later), was placed great weight on the significance interrogated in a talk with the Soviet of the odontological findings. Thus the Chief Expert of Forensic Medicine, Lieute- conclusion of the autopsy report culmi- nant Colonel Shkaravski on May 11, nated with the following statement as cited 1945, in the offices of CAFS No. 496. by Bezymenski (1968b p. 49): ))The most Frau Heusermann described the state of important anatomical finding for identi- Hitler’s teeth in every detail. Her de- fication of the person are the teeth, with scription tallies with the anatomical data much bridgework, artificial teeth, crowns, pertaining to the oral cavity of the un- and fillings (see documents).)) The report known man whose burned corpse we is signed by the five members of the dissected,)) concludes the report. Autopsy Commission, headed by Lieute- nant Colonel F. I. Shkaravski, Chief For personal use only. ))Part of the cranium is missing)). In the original Expert, Forensic Medicine, (1st Byelo- German edition, on the other hand, it is stated: ))Ein Teil der Schadeldaches fehlt)). The latter russian Front, Medical Service), and by is more precise, so the correct translation should Lieutenant Colonel N. A. Krayevski. have stated that a part of the occipital vault is missing. The second correction concerns the Chief Anatomical Pathologist (Medical following sentence: ))The first left incisor (IL) Service, Red Army). consists of a white platelet, with cracks and a black spot in the porcelain (enamel) at the bottom)). In the original German edition it is stated: ))Der linke erste Schneidezahn (11) 2. Photographic Illustrations stellt eine weisse Zahnplatte dar mit Sprungen
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London und einem schwarzen Defekt im Email unten)). One of the most important exhibits Thus the word )>porcelain))in the English transla- tion is inappropriately used as a descriptive term recovered from the Soviet Archives con- for what simply should have been dental enamel. cerns the objective photographic evidence Then there are in the German as well as in the English edition some obvious typewriting errors. illustrating the remains of the dentition First of all, in the following statement: ))The of the corpse described in autopsy docu- first right molar is artificial, white, and secured by a gold clip connected with the bridge of the ment No. 12. Included were photographs second bicuspid and the right incisor)), the last of a fixed dental prosthesis, namely, a word should read the right cuspid. Further it is stated in the dental description that ))The 9-unit bridge, and the charred fragment maxillary bridge is vertically sawed off behind of a mandible, the latter with several the second left bicuspid (IL))),instead of the first left bicuspid (15). This important correc- intact anterior teeth and two bridges, one tion is supported by Rzhevsknya (1967) when on the right and one on the left side. quoting from the same autopsy report and also by the treatment description of Hitler’s dentist The photographs which appear in two Dr. Hugo Blaschke (1946). of the several inserts of illustrations 48 REIDAR F. SOGNNAES AND FERDINAND STRh4
Fig. IA. Lingual view of the nine-unit maxillary Fig. IB. Another vieM of the maxillary bridge bridge reproduced from Soviet autopsy report reproduced from Bezymenski. Note the metal by Bezymenski (1968b). For proper orientation posts emerging from the Dowel crowns of the and esaluation, see text. upper right central incisor and upper left lateral incisor. Lingually are seen the ends of tiny (platinum) pins, evidently retaining anterior porcelain facings, not seen directly in this view.
presented by Bezymenski (1968b between Moving towards the left jaw quadrant, the printed Fages 54 & 55) are reprodu- there then follows a metallic crown for the ced with his permission as our Figs. left central incisor. The seventh tooth seen 1 A. B (upper teeth) and 1 C. D (lower in this view is again a crown with a barely
teeth ) . :$ visible central post emerging from the The maxillary bridge is photographed middle (typical of a so-called Richmond from the lingual view and indicates a crown). The eight and ninth portion of distinct curvature of this large bridge. this bridge (the left canine and the first Consequently. one photograph shows premolar described above) cannot be For personal use only. to the best advantage those seven elements seen in full view in this photograph due of the nine-unit bridge which happens to to the curvature of the dental arch. culminate with the right second premolar However. the other view, Fig. lB, (Fig. IA). namely. a solid metal pontic accomodates a completion of the photo- replacement not prepared for any direct graphic record. In this illustration, it is the tooth or root attachment. This pontic upper right two premolars which are is next followed by a similarly independent blocked from direct view, and one can replacement. a metal back with a sug- barely see the lingual portion of the crown
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London pestion of a different front facing. a slit of the right canine. On the other hand, barely separating the anterior from the the seven remaining portions of this posterior portion. Continuing in a mesial nine-unit bridge can be readily identified. direction. there follows then what is To begin with, we note that the pontic for obviously a metallic crown for the canine. the upper right lateral incisor clearly This. in turn. connects with another politic shows tcvo minute lingual marks, as two for the lateral incisor. and then the large light neyewlike dots indicative of the right central incisor. in the center of typical platinum posts emerging through vvhich there is barely visible what appears the gold from an anterior porcelain facing. to be a metal post. This politic is next attached to a large -~ central incisor. This tooth also shows two * Figs. I and 3 were reproduced by courtesy of ;lLlfh~r publisher of T//e ([f’ Arlolf )’eyes)), evidence indicatitl& ‘ISe Of a flirior. iRe:.i~tw?i~/~i, 1968 b). porcelain facing. More importantly, this THE ODONTOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF ADOLF HITLER 49
Fig. 1C. Labial-buccal view of the left side of Fig. ID. Lingual view of the incisors and right the charred remains of the lower jaw. There is quadrant of the lower jaw showing the special evidence of bone resorption and tooth erosion bridge construction with the characteristic in the mandibular incisor region. Also note the lingual bar, bypassing the intact first premolar. distal drift of the left canine and second pre- molar, creating wide replacement with what appear to be twin porcelain facings for the first premolar.
clearly shows a metal post, albeit rather striation in keeping with the previous short, typical of the Richmond Crown or description that it was ))vertically sawed Dowel Crown, as it is now commonly off)). called. Turning to the left quadrant, this In the lower jaw, several of the natural restoration is attached to a smooth- teeth were remarkably well preserved, backed left central incisor restoration with being attached to the charred remnants no markings to suggest either a platinum of the mandible, together with a lower left post facing or any post attachments. On bridge, seen from the buccal view, as For personal use only. the other hand, such evidence is clearly reproduced in Fig. 1C and a right bridge. present on the next tooth, the left lateral seen from the lingual view in Fig. ID. incisor, which again shows the lingual With regard to the natural teeth, ))eyes)) caused by the platinum posts the lower incisors evidently exhibit a typical of a porcelain facing, as well as a good deal of dental erosion, mainly below relatively short central post or dowel, the enamel-cementum junction. In the typical of the Richmond Crown or ))Sift- case of the lateral incisors, the right one Zahm. This crown is then attached to a shows considerable incisor wear, if not
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London relatively thin reconstruction for the left even a partially fractured incisal edge, canine position, obviously a metal-backed whereas the left lateral incisor shows porcelain facing with no evidence of any some dark areas possibility suggestive of provision for root attachments; in other dental decay. The latter may in part be words, a pontic rather than crown. Finally, super-imposed upon the erosion, since this cantilevered pontic is in turn attached we now know that such seemingly in- to an additional cantilevered replacement compatible conditions are not necessarily for the left first premolar. One cannot mutually exclusive (Sognnaes et af., 1972). readily see whether or not this latter Both the anterior and posterior views of restoration has the markings of a porcelain these incisor teeth (Fig. 1 C & 1D) suggest facing. However, one can see that the distal that, aside from any postmortem destruc- left termination of this bridge is not tion, there appears to have been con- amoothly polished, but has some rough siderable alveolar bone resorption during 50 REIDAR F. SOGNKAES AND FERDINAND STROM
the life of the patient. indicative of defect in this area caused either by a periodontal disease. fracture or caries). Principally covering the The left lower bridge spans a space from lingual and interproximal surfaces this the canine to the last molar. In addition to canine restoration must be classified as a the full crown attachments on these so-called 3/4 crown used for attachment terminal ends, there is a middle pillar of the lingual bar, and thereby connected where a full crown appears to be attached with the crown of the second premolar. to what must be a distally drifted second Lastly. the photograph clearly shows a premolar. The missing teeth, which have freehanging, cantilevered extension for been replaced by the pontics between these replacement of the lower right first molar three bridge attachments. are the first tooth. Being this far back in the mouth, premolar and the first and second molar. one would not expect to need a buccal However. due to distal drift of the second tooth-colored facing for aesthetic reasons. premolar and mesial drift of the third Yet. one can clearly detect the two little molar, the ))twin)) pontic replacement shiny ))eyes))piercing through the lingual ot' the first and second molars has been gold backing, indicating the platinum reduced in width to little more than that posts emerging from a porcelain facing. of a single molar. By the same token. the distal drift of the second premolar has increased the first premolar space. Con- 3. Diugramnratic Representation sequently. the pontic replacement. attached To a dentist, it is essential to keep records to the distal aspect of the canine crown. by charting a patient's dentition with its appears to be as wide as a molar. In the characteristically individualized anatomi- photographs of the charred remains. this cal. pathological and restorative features. For personal use only. latter replacement does not have as For this purpose, various preprinted dia- polished a buccal surface as the rest of this grammatic forms are used to depict the bridge. Instead. there seems to be a dental arches and individual tooth shapes. certain surface porousity which may Apparently there was no dentist or suggest the use of porcelain facing. partly ordinary dental chart available to the concealed by a secondary darkening from pathologists who performed the autopsy the charred buccal flesh. of Hitler's alleged body as recorded The lower right bridge involves three above. But fortunately an effort was made
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London teeth directly. but bypasses one seemingly to sketch some of the dental configurations uninvolved tooth, the right first premolar. in diagrammatic form as a supplement to due to a very special type of bridge the descriptive and photographic data. constiuction (Fig. 1 D). As will be seen Specifically. this sketch, which indicates from this lingual view. there is a distinct the number of natural and artificial fixed connecting bar between the restora- teeth present at the time of the autopsy. tion5 on the canine and second premolar. IS illustrated in the English edition of B) cross checking with the anterior view Beziwwnski (1 968b) between text pages in Fig. 2C, it will be noted that the canine 54-55 and is reproduced in our Fig. 2.* restoration does not involve the labial The Soviet autopsy report, dated May 8, portion of this tooth except for a consider- 1945. actually made specific cross reference able slice out of the mesial-incisal corner (thi.; niay have served to restore a serious * See footnote, p. 48. THE ODONTOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF ADOLF HITLER 51
Fig. 2. Soviet pathologist’s sketch alleged to be the teeth and tooth replacements of Hit- ler’s upper and lower jaws. An- notations on the right are attri- buted to Mrs. Kaethe Heuser- mann, chairside assistant for Hitler’s dentist. This illus- tration is reproduced from Bezymenski’s English edition (1968b), but did not appear in the German version. For translation* of the Russian wri- ting and interpretation of the diagram, see text.
between the descriptive findings and the indicates that the lower right second and dental diagram when stating: ))as in- third molars were missing without being dicated in the sketch.)) replaced. The remaining fourteen teeth The Soviet dental sketch reproduced in are included in the diagram as being either Fig. 2 shows in the upper jaw, a nine-unit present or replaced by bridgework. bridge attached to four teeth with roots, The lower right first permanent molar namely, the upper right canine, the right is sketched in an uninterrupted profile central incisor and the upper left central together with the second premolar in the and lateral incisors. Among the pontics of shape of a figure ))8~,as if the two were the bridge are the upper right lateral incisor made in one piece. The first premolar, and the upper right first and second pre- however, is drawn in a completely in- molars. The latter two teeth are freehan- dependent isolated fashion, without any ging cantilevered extensions on the right bridge connection on either side, in- For personal use only. terminal (distal) extension of the bridge. dicating that this particular tooth was not Similarly, the upper left side of the involved in the adjacent bridge construc- bridge terminates with the two cantilevered tion. Similarly, the four lower incisor distal extensions, namely, for the replace- teeth are each drawn independently. Un- ment of the left canine and first premolar. like the maxillary incisors, these teeth Distally to the profile of the first premolar, are thus completely separated to indicate a sharp black line has been drawn as the that they were not involved in any kind termination point. This, according to the of bridge construction. On the other hand,
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London autopsy description, is where the maxillary on the lower left side, there are six teeth bridge was ))vertically sawed off)). diagrammed in complete contact with No other teeth are shown in the upper each other, much like the maxillary ja,, indicating that several teeth were bridge, suggesting that a fixed bridge missing without being replaced; namely, extended from the lower left canine the upper right first, second and third through the premolars and molars finally molars. and the upper left second pre- culminating distally with the third molar molar and first, second, and third mo- or wisdom tooth. lars. There are several annotations, hand- With regard to the lower jaw, the sketch written in Russian, on this same sketch. To the left of the chart (see Fig. 21, next * The translation of the Russian notes was done to the profile of the upper bridge, the at The Institute of Slavic and Baltic Studies, University of Oslo, Head Professor Arne Gallis. translation reads ))upper jaw)) and next 52 REIDAK F. SOGNNAES AND FERDINAND STROM
to the mandibular teeth. dower jaw)). and photographic documentation re- and near the bottom, ))corpse of a man)). produced from the Soviet autopsy report Flirthermore. the notes identify the chart by Bezymenski (1968b), and not in any as belonging to the ))document of the important conflict with the data recently dissection of the corpse of Hitler)). Lastly. recovered from the American Archives it is written, rather importantly. that ))the to be presented below. drawing on the right side is carried out by citizen Hojzerman)). with an illegibie first name ())Kate?))). After this. the AMERICAN ARCHIVES family name of ))Hojzermann is repeated Presentation of the information obtained with improved writing and dated May 11. through the search of the American 1945; in other words, suggesting her Archives will first be concerned with the commentary was made three days after very important interrogation of Hitler’s the actual autopsy date. dentist, including (a) description of the The signature oil this sketch is not dental status quo, (b) appropriate dental easily legible but would appear to be that charts and diagrams, and (c) history of of Shkaravski. who. as indicated else- Hitler’s dental treatment record. These where. was the Chief Expert, Forensic dental data will be supplemented with Medicine. Kathe Heusermann‘s annota- information obtained by interrogation of tions on the right side of the chart are Hitler’s physicians. Finally. a detailed >omec\.hatscattered, but include drawings analysis will be made of the most im- of what probably depicts the profile of a portant new forensic exhibit, namely, the so-called ))windown crown with a distal- five head x-ray plates discovered in one iilcisal dark defect. Attached to this tooth, of the files located in the Modern Record For personal use only. a smaller onc is sketched in. with a clear Branch of the U.S. National Archives, facing and post (probably to mean Dowel the National Document Center, Suitland. crown). The sketch shows at least one Maryland. other isolated tooth profile. suggesting repiacement with a post a 18 the Dowel I. Interrogation of Hitler ’s Personal crown type. One additional tooth profile Dentist. Dr. Blaschke suggests what may have been made to emphasize the otheruise stated presence Hitler’s principal and only full-fledged
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London of an open-face crown or so-called dentist, hitherto known to us, was Dr. window)) cro\\ ti. Hugo Johannes Blaschke, D.D.S., a dental All in all. while apparently there was no graduate of the University of Pennsylva- dentisr and no standard dental form in- nia. class of 191 1. Returning to practice in volved in the autopsy or in the post- Berlin. lie became well known to the Nazi mortem review of the dental status. there leaders. He was Hitler’s dentist from 1934 can be no question that such a chart. as to 1945, and was rewarded by being reproduced in Fig. 2. does prove to be a awarded the title of Professor and Briga- very important kind of exhibit in forensic dier General. Waffen S.S. odoiitology. Indeed, what has been in- Following his capture in 1945, an eight cluded in the autopsy sketch we have found page document was prepared at the to be in harmony with the essential in- headquarters of the United States Forces, t‘ormation obtained from the descriptive European Theatre. Military Intelligence THE ODONTOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF ADOLF HITLER 53
01 FIM. INTm.OCI.TICIN Ki'CRT (01 - FIR) No. 31
This is the third mprt of a series dealing rith Hitler'a phyeical and mental condition. It is based on information obtained from the dentiat rbo treated Eitler fmm the beginning of 1934 tc 20 Apr 45.
pblt of Contents
1. PzF&iicis 2 2. &rSOI< FCFl XnrORT 2
3. FLFOFtTz 'tITiSa'S TSTE' 2
a. Intmduction: Source 2 Fig. 3. Front page of the b. Cherscteristics of Hltler'a Tebth 2 (1) Verbal Bscription 2 American interrogation re- (a) €aturn1 Teeth 2 port recording the testi- (b) Replacerants 3 mony of Hitler's dentist, (0) Cavities untreated 4 Dr. Hugo Blaschke (U.S. (d) color of Teeth k brarings 5 Nat. Archives No. 01 FIR (2) co~.cwsIc~ 7 31). For detailed discus- 4. For personal use only. sion of the report, see text. 5. CoAwxiTs 1st E&O!.?&NiLTIGiS 7
Service Center, APO-757, known as a (Figs. 4 & 5).* In addition, reference will ))Final Interrogation Report)) (01 FIR 31), be made to some critical comments regard- signed by Malcolm S. Hilty, Chief of ing one of Dr. Blaschke's last professional 01 section. This document also includes contacts with Hitler as a patient, and with
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London several diagrams and has an appendix the last contact with Hitler's dental chart (Annex I) of three pages in which Dr. and x-rays before Dr. Blaschke left Berlin Blaschke gives the dental treatment history in 1945. of Hitler; and three additional appendices As a preamble to the interrogation contain information regarding Eva Baun's report regarding Hitler's dentistry, there and Martin Bormann's teeth, and about is said to be three reasons for the report, Dr. Blaschke's professional and personal namely, to provide (a) data useful in the background. ))identification of Hitler or his remains,)) The frontice piece of this document is (b) information to expose what might be
duplicated here (Fig. 3) together with two *Figs. 3 to 7 were reproduced from records re- of the several sketches prepared during leased to the first author through the courtesy of U.S. National Archives and Records Service, the interrogation to represent Hitler's Washington, D.C. and from the U.S. National dental status in the upper and lower jaws Document Center, Suitland, Maryland. 54 REIDAR F. SOGNNAES AND FERDINAND STROM
future ))frauds.)) and (c) research material the right side, the report states that there for ))the historian. the doctor, and the is a ))full gold crown over the first
scientist .)) bicuspid)) (to this we shall return for Dr. Blaschke was interned on May 28. further comment later). 1945, and interrogated during November In the other upper jaw quadrant, the and December of that year. During the bridge continues beginning with the left interrogation. while recording the status of central incisor which carries an incomplete Hitler’s teeth. Dr. Blaschke was given the crown covering three-fourths of the tooth privilege of consulting head x-rays taken enamel, identified as a ))windown crown. of Hitler on September 19. 1944. The This is followed by another Richmond interrogators stated in connection with the crown (Dowel crown) on the lateral ensuing report. that ))information on incisor and culminates again with a freely Hitler’s teeth is considered reliable.)) suspended porcelain-faced, gold-backed replacement of the first left premolar. Between the two last mentioned teeth, the 2. Descriptive Denrul Informution report lists a )>full gold crown on cuspid.,) In describing the characteristics of Hitler’s (In our later discussion we shall return to teeth as existing in April 1945, the Blaschke this replacement). testimony first enumerates each individual In describing this whole maxillary nine- natural tooth that was present either en- unit bridge, Blaschke reports that the tirely or partially during Hitler’s last bridge originally extended farther ))until dental examination in early 1945. From the the end of October, 1944)). At that time, listing of each jaw quadrant. it is indicated Dr. Blaschke had to remove the second that the only teeth remaining without left premolar by cutting the bridge For personal use only. complete or partial prosthetic replacement ))between the first and second bicuspids)). were the four incisor teeth and the first The report adds that ))the straight edge right premolar in the lower jaw. Next, the produced by the cutting is strikingly report describes the complete replacement characteristic)) (cf. pp, 47,Sl & 54 above). of missing teeth irr toto, by means of so- itfunriible. In the lower jaw, two pros- called pontics. and partial replacement of thetic replacements are described. On the rooted teeth by means of crowns and so- right side, a bridge extends from a three- called Richmond crowns (or Dowel quarter gold crown on the canine, ))leaving
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London crowns) with a ))pivot)) or post in the root jn view most of frontal part of natural canal to make what in German terms be- tooth.)) To this gold backing, there was comes a ))Stift-Zahn.,, attached a )>golden arch behind the first Musillu. In the upper jaw is described a bicuspid,)) which in turn was attached to a bridge which extends from a Richmond full gold crown on the second premolar. crown on the upper right central incisor Terminating the distal portion of the to a full gold crown on the right canine bridge was a cantilevered ())freely suspend- tooth. terminating with a cantilevered. ed))) replacement for the missing first freely suspended, gold crown replacing molar. the second bicuspid. Between these units On the left side of the lower jaw, another of the bridge, the right lateral incisor is bridge extended over most of the left recorded as being a pontic made from a quadrant, namely, from the canine to the gold-backed porcelain facing. Lastly. on third molar, both covered with full gold THE ODONTOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF ADOLF HITLER 55
F! L
Fig. 4. Diagram showing anterior view of nine-unit bridge from Hitler's upper jaw reproduced from Dr. Blaschke's interrogation report.
crowns. As a pillar in between, the report Besides the shaded areas of crowns and also lists a gold crown on the second pre- pontics, the rooted tooth attachments have molar. Between these three bridge attach- been indicated by dotted lines. Thereby, ments, the missing first premolar was we found clear evidence that the so-calied replaced by a pontic consisting of a gold- Richmond crowns ())Stift-Zahne))), which backed porcelain facing and the missing were attached by metal posts in the root first and second molars replaced in gold. canals, were limited to two of the upper In addition, the descriptive aspect of the teeth; namely, the upper right central dental interrogation report calls attention incisor and upper left lateral incisor. to a few problems of restorative den- From the frontal view of the maxillary tistry afflicting Hitler as follows: (a) ))ex- bridge, one notes that the upper left For personal use only. tensive caries existed for several years central incisor is the only tooth which at the distal-lateral corner of the upper includes the sketch of a labial band at left central incisor,)) and (b) in the lower the junction between the crown and root, left jaw ))a porcelain-cement filling of the a documentary evidence in keeping with lateral incisor.)) the ))window)) crown type of restoration. Also, this same tooth has a short oblique line drawn across the distal incisor cor- 3. Diagrammatic hfornxztion ner, evidently confirming the problem of
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London Following the descriptive portion of the dental decay to which Dr. Blaschke made above report on Hitler's dentistry, Dr. reference in the descriptive portion of his Blaschke and his interrogators proceeded report. to prepare a total of eight diagrams or In general, the use of the so-called charts of Hitler's teeth as viewed from cantilevered, ))freely suspended)) bridge ex- various projections. Two of these diagrams tensions are only resorted to if absolutely have been reproduced; Fig. 4, represent- necessary or demanded to avoid remov- ing upper jaw, and Fig. 5, representing the able replacements, as Hitler demanded, lower jaw. according to Dr. Blaschke. We note that, Upper jaw. The upper jaw diagram in order to fill a few more empty spaces, clearly reflects the profile of a nine-unit the sketch as well as the descriptive text bridge, the distal ends of which are indicate that such was the case, not only cantilevered, freely-suspended pontics. on one side, but indeed on both termi- 56 REIDAR F. SOGNNAES AND FERDINAND STROP4
. , '. *.:
Fig. 5. Sketch from Dr. Blaschke's interrogation report showing lingual view of the lower jaw indi- cating clearly the premolar bypass and cantilevered bridge extension on the lower right, as well as the six-unit hridge on the left. A small defect has been suggested on the distal corner of the left lateral incisor; for details see text.
nal ends of Hitler's nine-unit maxillary 4. Past History of Hitler's Dental bridge. Treatnietit Lo,~.erjuw. The diagram depicting the The interrogation of Hitler's dentist, teeth and their replacement in the lower Dr. Hugo Blaschke, included a separate ja\\ (Fig. 5) indicates that ten of the section. Annex I, regarding Blaschke's mandibular teeth were rooted and that earlier care of Hitler, a supplement to the tive of these. the four incisors and the overall report (01 FIR 31). Made avail- first right premolar. were completely able through the U.S. National Archives, uninvolved in the porsthetic bridge repla- this Annex represents an English transla- cements. The replaced missing teeth. as tion of >)notes written for this report by noted in the diagram in Fig. 5. were the BLASCHKE. giving Hitler's abridged For personal use only. lovver right first molar. a cantilevered case history as a dental patient in the extension. and the lower left first premolar years 1934 to 1945.)) and first and second molars. The lingual From his notes, there is no evidence version shows a profile of a bypass between that Dr. Blaschke ever constructed or the louer right canine and sccond pre- was called upon to repair or adjust the molar. circumventing or bypassing the curious bridge construction on the right intact first premolar by a curved ))barn. side of Hitler's lower jaw. This is a point Distally. this unusual bridge construction of some importance. For example, it
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London is then shown to connect and culniinate means that Dr. Blaschke would have no with a cantilevered suspension, as a record of the treatment of the lower right pontic substitute to replace the first right canine tooth. In other words, he could molar. not know (and did not pretend to know) Several of the sketches indicate consi- whether this corner tooth, which anchored derable periodontal bone destruction the bridge anteriorly, had been injured by around the roots of the lower incisors. trauma or decay to require replacement particularly towards the left side. The of a large part of the mesial corner; or if diagram (Fig. 5) shows an oblique line the defect had been deep enough to along the distal-incisal corner of the lower require a root filling; or whether or not left lateral incisor, suggesting the presence the inlay or 314 crown was in fact fortified of some defect, presumably caused by with a metal post in the root canal. From either tooth decay or traumatic fracture. the outside appearance of the completed THE ODONTOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF ADOLF HITLER 57
bridge, there would be no way to tell if a result of which Blaschke states: ))a this tooth had been root-filled at all. In conclusion of the treatment, i.e. filling of brief, the lower right bridge was clearly the root and final filling of the cavity, was not made by Blaschke, but by someone never achieved.)) else treating Hitler, presumably before The next and apparently last major 1934, when Dr. Blaschke entered the scene. episode in Hitler’s dental care followed The same may well have been the case with shortly after the assassination attempt in the bridge on the left side of Hitler’s lower 1944. Dr. Blaschke explained it this way: jaw. Dr. Blaschke makes no specific refer- ))Towards the end of September (1944) ence to the history of this construction in I was called to the headquarters. Hitler the treatment record. complained about slight tenderness of the With regard to the positive treatment gingiva of the upper left jaw. He was bed- situations which Dr. Blaschke himself had ridden. He was, as Professor Morel1 told handled, special reference is made to three me, suffering from an inflammation of the
problem areas, namely in connection with naso-pharyngeal area. )) Blaschke’s clinical trouble arising from the lower left lateral and roentgenological dental examina- incisor, the upper left central incisor and tions revealed a deep pocket around the the upper left second premolar. root of the upper left second premolar. It was in connection with his very first Apparently, this had not caused much professional contact with Hitler (at the direct pain, or as Blaschke put it, ))The instigation of Goering) that Blaschke was pain - wrongly diagnosed as neuralgic called upon to remedy, in 1934, an infec- - was killed through obtundents.)) tion, swelling and pain arising from the He adds that he was unable to get a clear area of the lower left lateral incisor. In picture of the history of these pains from For personal use only. treating this condition Blaschke states: Hitler who ))disliked intensely talking ))The tooth was filled with iodoform paste about his health.)) Not until the end of (Walkhoff) and temporarily closed.)) October 1944 did Dr. Blaschke get per- In the upper jaw, )>muchmore extensive mission to perform the necessary treatment work was necessary,)) requiring the remov- as follows: ))The old bridge on the left al of a right and left defective bridge, and upper jaw was then cut in front of the the construction of a new single fixed gold crown on the 2nd bicuspid. The bridge, because ))Hitler rejected a remov- tooth, together with the cut-off part of the
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London able prosthesis.)) bridge, came out very easily. . (cf. p. 54). Dr. Blaschke states that fairly regular From the middle of January 1945, Hitler check-ups of Hitler’s teeth were made until was constantly in the Berlin Reich Chan- the outbreak of the war, after which all cellery where Dr. Blaschke had installed an subsequent dental care had to wait until office, but Hitler only ))came once to the requested, which was not before pain dental station for a short while in mid- arose. This did occur at least once as a February for a superficial examination.)) result of ))extensive caries)) in the distal From that time on, Dr. Blaschke gives no corner of the upper left incisor. This tooth, record of any additional treatment, but he partly covered by the ))window)) crown, concludes with a very important statement already had a pulp involvement. However, regarding the whereabouts of the dental this could only be treated in a temporary charts and intra-oral x-ray pictures of the fashion because of Hitler’s impatience, as teeth, two of the potentially most impor- 5 58 REIDAR F. SOGNNAES AND FERDINANDSTROM
tant elements for future forensic documen- according to Blaschke, evidently did not tation. This concluding statement, translat- arrive, and as far as he knew, it ))could ed from Dr. Blaschke’s own written notes. never be ascertained what had become of as found in the United States Archives it.)) Whatever efforts may have been made (01 FIR 31. Annex I, page 3) reads as since then in any part of Europe or else- follows: where to recover Blaschke’s files, no one has to date recovered or reproduced a ))The patients’ file cards as well as the single one of the ordinary kinds of dental X-ray pictures of their teeth were, since x-ray films, to which Hitler’s dentist the middle of January 1945, constantly referred. kept at the dental station in the Voss- Strasse shelter of the Reich Chancellery. On the night of 20/21 January 1945. 5. Interrogation of Hitler’s Ph~~sicians 1 was ordered to be ready for movement, During the search for pertinent informa- with a minimum of baggage, within an tion in the Unitcd States National Archives hour. I was helped in packing the little and Records Service, three additional portable dental station which I wanted documents were located regarding Hitler’s to take with me by my dental helper, health problems, namely, those originating Mrs. Kaethe Heitserttiann, and my from Hitler’s several physicians. assistant. Dr. Rohkamnr. It is possible, Two of these reports deal specifically and even likely that the files were put with the head and neck examinations of in the same box as the dental station. Hitler following the assassination attempt My baggage was then supposed to be during the summer of 1944. In these two sent from the Tempelhof airfield to reports are recorded observations by two
For personal use only. SALZBURG in a transport plane car- ear, nose and throat specialists, Dr. Erwin rying baggage exclusively. This plane ne- Giesing, who in 1945 was subjected to ver arrived at SALZBURG. and from extensive interrogation by the American the Obersalzberg it coiild never be as- Army officers, and Dr. Karl von Eicken, certained what had become of it.)) who contributed a day by day record of In the above statement. Blaschke is said the times he was consulted in connection to have been leaving 20121 January. The with Hitler’s sinusitis and vocal cord tLimor days are right, but the month is misprinted, (which Dr. Eicken earlier had removed).
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London for he was leaving the night between April These two documents were located in the 20j21 (Kempner 1969). Anyhow, from the central Washington office of the U.S. above statement, it is regrettably clear National Archives and Records Service. that Dr. Blaschke’s detailed diagnostic But the most elaborate medical report, and therapeutic dental record charts for compiled after interrogation of Hitler’s Hitler and the small individual dental x-ray principal private physician, Professor Doc- iilms used in these connections were last tor Theo Morell, was located together with seen by Dr. Blaschke in the spring of 1945. several consultant supplements in a satel- For on the night of April 20-21, he was lite division of the U.S. National Archives ordered to be ready for his move south in the town of Suitland, Maryland. Evi- after his files were sent with a transport dently. Dr. Morell and his fellow physicians baggage plane from Berlin’s Tempelhof did not have any detailed insight into Airfield to Salzburg. However. this plane, Hitler’s oral and dental health. Aside from THE ODONTOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF A DOLF HITLER 59
the remark that the teeth were ))defective>) made to assist in diagnosing pain com- and that Hitler at times had suffered from plained of in the sinus regions. Four gingivitis and halitosis, there was not a views were taken including a left lateral single reference to any useful forensic of the sinus cavities. This however could dental identification features, such as not be found. The 3 plates available specific missing teeth, intact teeth, restored include 1 each of the frontal sinuses teeth or replaced teeth. (nose-forehead position), the sphenoidal This deficiency turned out to be far sinuses (mouth-chin position), and the outweighed by a very significant appendix maxillary, ethnoidal and frontal sinuses to the document, namely, ))Annex 11)). (chin-nose position). The two plates This Annex to Dr. Morell’s interrogation marked 21 Oct 44 were also found report included five head-x-rays of Hitler, among Dr. Morell’s records, but he taken following the assassination attempt can no longer remember the circum- in 1944. As a result, it now became possible stances under which they were made. for the first time to make direct compara- These views are both of the maxillary, tive documentations, and evaluate con- ethnoidal, and frontal sinuses (chin-nose clusions based on objective vis-a-vis position). >) subjective data. In the following paragraphs each of these important head x-rays of Adolf Hitler will 6. Head X-ray Plates of Adolf Hitler be described in detail as items (a) to (e). Before analysing each one of the five (a): X-ray No. I (Fig. 6A). Dated in Eu- x-ray plates located in 1972 in the U.S. ropean style: 19. 9. 44 (Sept. 19, 1944), National Archives, it seems appropriate to this x-ray photograph was taken in a
For personal use only. cite verbatim the explanatory note at- manner referred to as a ))niouth-chin tached to these five films when placed on position.)) With a submental-vertical beam file in 1945: direction, one notes that an occlusal view of the teeth is seen to best advantage. ))Annex II. Five X-rays of Hider’s Head. Sources: Giesing and Morell. The five Although there is some overlapping be- x-ray plates attached are copies of tween the profile of the upper and lower originals found among Dr. Morell‘s teeth, it is nevertheless possible to make records. They have been positively several diagnostic observations of im- portance as a contribution to identifica- Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London identified by him as well as by Dr. Giesing as X-rays taken of Hitler. The tion. three plates marked with the day 19 First of all, it is evident that most of the Sep 44 were made by Dr. Giesing at the large posterior teeth on the right side are Army Hospital at Rastenburg, East missing. On the left side of the jaw, on Prussia, using German army portable the other hand, there are evidently very equipment (plate-target distance app radiopaque profiles all the way back 1 m.). This was during the period when towards the ramus of the mandible, sug- Dr. Giesing was treating Hitler for ear gesting the presence of teeth or their injuries suffered at the time of the artificial replacements all the way up to assassination attempt on 20 Jul 44. the third molar region. In the anterior (See also Annex IV, e.g., ))Results of portion, one of the most striking features Ear Examination))). The plates were is a radiolucent zone in the front portion c 0 KEIDAR F. SOGNNAES AND FERDINAND STROM For personal use only.
Fig. 6A. One of the fibe head X-ray plates found 111 the U.S. National Archives in January 1972 and originally taken of Hltler on the date of September 19, 1944 (see X-ray No. 1 in text).
of the upper left central incisor. This has Posterior to this upper jaw profile, there created the view of a windown suggestive appears a very radiolucent connecting of a so-called open-face crown where the link or bar corresponding to the lingual x-rays have passed through the root and aspect of the lower right canine-premolar
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London the anterior portion of the crown. other- area. Between these two teeth there is a wise surrounded by radio-dense material. profile of a tooth of much lesser density, The area corresponding to the right central evidently devoid of any radiopaque metal- incisor and the left lateral incisor have lic restorations. We shall return to this fully contoured radiopaque crowns. By particular jaw quadrant later as seen in contrast. the upper right lateral incisor other views. and. importantly, the upper left canine (b): X-rar No. I/ (Fig. 6B). Also dated areas both demonstrate very narrow September 19, 1944 (19.9.44). This anterior connecting links. without the anterior-posterior head plate reveals the normal crown contours. thus evidently following: Whereas the lower incisors do representing bridge pontics. rather than not show any radiopaque prosthetic in- rooted crowns, for aesthetic anterior volvement, the surrounding alveolar jaw replacement of lost teeth. bone appears very radiolucent, suggestive Fig. 6B. Anterior-posterior view of Hitter’s head Fig. 6C. Hitler head X-ray photographed in as seen in X-ray taken on September 19, 1944, >>chin-noseposition)) on September 19, 1944 and described as X-ray No. I1 in text. described in text as X-ray No. 111. For personal use only.
of periodontal bone resorption. In one incisor rather than the space between the area, the left lateral incisor, there appears central ones. It is not clear from the x-ray to be some increased bone density mesially evidence alone whether this shift has to the root end, suggestive of a condensing resulted from the drifting of the upper osteitis. teeth to the right of center or the lower With regard to the radio-dense areas teeth to the left of center. Our present
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London there is otherwise extensive prosthetic interpretation favors the latter. replacement elsewhere in the jaws. In the In the lower jaw, one can very clearly anterior part of the upper jaw this in- see on the left side three roots carrying cludes two metallic posts, somewhat short a long bridge replacement. This bridge in length, extending into the root canals begins with the radiopaque coverage of of the upper right central incisor and the the left canine and ends with the coverage upper left lateral incisor. This is an im- of the mesially tilted posterior molar portant diagnostic point, which could have tooth. A relatively large radiolucent space been subject to confusion, because the exists on each side of the middle tooth x-ray also indicates that there is a shift root, which evidently corresponds to a in the midline relationship between the distally drifted single rooted tooth in the upper and lower jaw. Thus, the midpoint second premolar area. On the right side represented by the mesial contact between of the lower jaw the radiopaque replace- the upper central incisors intersects with ment begins with the canine and termi- the mesial surface of the lower right lateral nates with a distal extension which does 62 REIDAR F. SOGNNAES AND FERDINAND STROM
not appear to rest on a root and, hence, 19, 1944 by the instigation of one of suggests a cantilevered pontic, replacing a Hitler’s surviving physicians. Dr. Erwin tooth in the anterior molar area. In the Giesing, who was consulted regarding root canal of the right canine tooth, Hitler’s head and neck problems fol- there is a barely visible thin radiopaque lowing the assassination attempt during central zone or line extending about half the summer of 1944, as already noted in way down the root length. This could Dr. Morell’s interrogation report. With either be a radiopaque root canal filling the confirmed authenticity of this particu- material necessitated by pulp exposure lar x-ray, attributed to Ciesing and here due to decay or trauma. or a very thin reproduced in Figure 6C, we are now post to help support the bridge carrying able to turn with special interest to a the radiopaque restoration on the canine comparison with the next x-ray headplate tooth. taken one month later. Was that one also Lastly, this x-ray has an area of radio- of Hitler? We believe it is, according to dense bone structure lingual to the mental our evidence below. foramen area, possibly indicative of a (d): X-rq No. IV (Fig. 7A). Taken minor bone exostosis or a small mandi- October 21, 1944 (21.10.44) this head bular torus. x-ray. also a chin-nose position, shows (c): X-rai. No. III (Fig. 6C). The third excellent contrasting reproduction of the x-ray dated September 19, 1944 (19.9.44), dental restorations. A direct comparison is the least satisfactory from a dental with x-ray No. I11 (19.9.44) indicates the standpoint. It has a relatively low contrast identical nature of the individual of in connection with the prosthetic replace- whom these two x-rays were taken. Thus, ments. It is also the least elegant from a we note a comparable configuration of the For personal use only. photographic standpoint. For there are very exhuberant frontal sinuses which, a number of vertical lines and bands for identification purposes, can be shown extending all through the x-ray, pre- to precisely overlap each other when the sumably due to some technical difficulties transparencies of these x-rays are placed in the preparation or processing of this on top of each other. fillll. It is well known that there is a finger- Nevertheless, even if not of crucial pint quality with regard to the special importance, this x-ray does serve to con- anatomical patterns of these sinuses in
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London firm two singular dental features already each individual human being. To further noted in the first x-ray (Fig. 6A). Taken in signify the similarity of these x-rays, there the chin-nose position, we note again, is also a certain related pathological first of all, the radiolucent window in the aspect to be noted; namely, the sclerotic upper left central incisor and, secondly. reaction exhibited by the margins of the the radiopaque bar or by-pass from the sinus cavities. This phenomenon, which canine to the second premolar area in may be assumed to have been due to the lower right jaw. chronic sinusitis, is noted in both of the Aside from the above. we attach a very latter x-rays (Nos. 111 & TV), as evidenced special importance to this x-ray, for an by a characteristic radiopaque blurring initially different and non-dental reason. along the edges of the sinus cavities. For we are fortunate to know for sure that Observing other details of x-ray No. IV, this x-ray plate was taken on September the identity of the odontological forensic Fig. 7A. ))Chin-nose)) projection of head X-ray Fig. 7B. Head X-ray taken of Hitelr on Octo- (similar to that seen in Fig. 6 C) taken a month ber 21, 1944 and described in text as X-ray later, October 21, 1944. Note conformity in the No. V. configuration of both the dentition and the frontal sinuses. For further details, see text des- cription of X-ray No. IV. For personal use only.
evidence is equally convincing (Fig. 7A). we can confirm one more dental detail For, without undue repetition, we note not readily seen in the previous x-rays. again the same general outline of the If we look closely at the upper left central radiopaque and radiolucent portions of the incisor, the one with the window crown, dentition, that is, where it is either intact, we can see a small shadow which, by restored or replaced. Importantly, we can extrapolation, evidently must result from
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London confirm, from an anterior vantage point a radiolucent defect in the distal-incisal what we previously concluded from the area of this incisor tooth. This may not occlusal view (Fig. 6A), namely, that both have been seen in the previous x-rays, the upper right lateral incisor and the either because of the nature of the pro- upper left canine are, in fact, pontics jections (Figs. 6A and 6B) or because of replacing lost teeth, rather than crowns inadequate quality of the x-ray (Figure on rooted teeth. For we notice here 6C). Yet, it is also a possibility that this (Fig. 7A) that there is a dark shadow shadow had in fact grown somewhat more where these two tooth replacements or pronounced between Sept. 19 and Oct. pontics meat the jawbone, rather than the 21, due to the progress of the untreated higher density that should be expected caries to which Dr. Blaschke made in these areas, if these were instead several references noted above. crowns resting on the cementum-covered (e): X-ray No. V. (Figure 7B). The fifth dentin of solid roots. available x-ray was also dated October 21, Thanks to the sharpness of this x-ray, 1944 (21.10.44). In this case, also pro- 64 REIDAR F. SOGNNAES AND FERDINAND STROM
jected in the so-called chin-nose position, appearance of the mandibular anterior the mouth was evidently slightly open teeth reproduced in the Russian autopsy when the x-ray was taken. It will be noted report depicting the remains of Hitler’s that the profiles of the three bridges fall burned mandible). precisely into place as indicated in the Secondly, the x-rays indicate that the x-ray taken on September 19, 1944 maxillary right central incisor and left (Figure 6C). Thus, if the transparencies of lateral incisor, while completely opaque these two x-rays are placed so as to to the x-ray beam, do show short metallic compare the patient’s dentition, one can posts for insertion into the root canals. demonstrate perfect overlapping of the This suggests the type of dental crown two dentition profiles of the upper and restoration known as a ))Richmond lower jaws. While this last x-ray is not as Crown)), frequently used jn the past and sharp as the other one taken on the same precisely the type of restoration de- date (Figure 7A). one can, at least on the scribed by the reports on Hitler’s dental transparency, once again detect a shadow condition. on the upper left central incisor, but Thirdly, the x-rays show a very peculiar mainly in the distal aspect, whereas the and very unusual dental bridge construc- incisal portion, because of the slightly tion on the right lingual aspect of the difrerent projection, is obscured by the mandible. This involves a lingual high- radio-dense restoration. density (metallic) bar extending distally from the right canine region, bypassing the first premolar, evidently connecting Principal Roentgenological Interpretations with a radiopaque (metallic) crown on In comparing the five x-ray plates located the second premolar. From that point, For personal use only. in the IJ.S. National Archives, several an additional metallic extension evidently principal observations emerge, which are had been constructed as a cantilevered considered of major significance in cor- distal extension of the bridge. (In this relating subjective and objective evidence connection, it is noteworthy that Hitler’s regarding the odontological identification dentist made very special verbal reference of Hitler. to this unique prosthetic construction Firstly, it became clear that Hitler had while being interrogated by the American only four remaining teeth which were not officers.)
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London involved in either bridging a gap or Fourthly, the x-rays show that the supporting a bridge between adjacent left maxillary incisor has the very charac- teeth. These four teeth were the right teristic feature of a partially opaque or and left mandibular incisors. However, metallic crown, typical of the now out- while they were free from dental decay, moded, but in times past, not infrequently as far as could be seen in the x-ray, there used, >bwindow))-crown. was considerable bone resorption around the roots of these anterior teeth. These ))naked)) portions of the root cementum HITLER’S DENTAL CHART BASED ON would have tended to expose the necks of COMBINED RECORDS the teeth to the injuries of erosion and abrasion. (It should be noted that this is After careful study of the various types precisely what is evident from the visual of descriptive, diagrammatic and photo- 'THE ODONTOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF ADOLF HITLER 65 HITLER'S DENTAL STATUS - 1945
METALLIC PORTION For personal use only. 0PORCELAIN PORTION 0NATURAL PORTION
Fig. 8. Dental chart prepared by authors to summarize their conclusions regarding the dental condi- tion of Hitler as it existed in 1945.
graphic evidence presented above, a dental natural teeth were still present, the areas chart has been prepared (Fig. 8) with a are unshaded. Where the teeth were
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London view to summarizing what, in our neither present, nor replaced, the areas are judgment, represented the dental status left blank. of Adolf Hitler in 1945." In the upper jaw, we have indicated Where metallic material was the only that the nine-unit bridge which Hitler substance covering or replacing the teeth, had in place in 1945 was resting on only the diagram is shaded black. Where the four remaining natural supporting teeth; frontal portion of the replaced teeth was namely, the upper right canine, the two represented by a porcelain facing, the central incisors and the left lateral incisor. diagram presents a shaded area. Where Of the five totally replaced teeth, only one was supported as a typical pontic, that l.Fig. 8. was drawn by Mr. George Robbins, School of Dentistry, University of California, is, anchored on both sides, namely, the 10s Angeles. upper right lateral incisor. The terminal 66 REIDAR F. SOCNNAES AND FERDINAND STROM
wings of the bridge consisted of two keeping with the x-ray evidence, has been pontics at each end, completely canti- shown to include some radio-dense levered without any visible means of material near the coronal part of the root support by dental root attachments. These canal. It is not known from any inspection freely suspended teeth, on the right side, or objective evidence whether or not this were the first and second premolars and, is a root canal filling or a metal post or on the left side, the canine and first both. Obviously, the canine restoration is premolar. not a Richmond crown or Dowel crown, In the lower jaw. the diagram indicates but the root canal opacity could be due the presence of five natural teeth without to a thin supporting pin to strengthen the any metallic restoration; namely the four retension of the metallic restoration which incisors and the right first premolar. In covers the posterior three-quarters of the addition, the natural tooth substance, crown. kept blank, is retained by the labial surface We have indicated no radiopaque filling of the lower right canine, except for a material in the lower left lateral incisor large portion of the mesial-incisal corner, even though this tooth, according to which is indicated in black to represent Blaschke, was treated with what he referred part of a metallic restoration. The latter to as Walkhoff’s iodoform paste. Whatever is shown to be connected by a metallic was used, it may not have been sufficiently bar soldered onto a metallic crown on the radiopaque to stand out in contrast to the lower right second premolar, from which primary root dentin or secondary dentin, there extends a cantilevered, goldbacked, which, in part, may have obliterated the porcelain-faced, freely suspended replace- vaguely visible root canal in this tooth. ment of the first molar. For this diagrammatic representation of For personal use only. On the left side of the lower jaw, the Hitler’s dental chart, a standard format diagram indicates absenses and replace- has been used, and no effort has been ment of the Srst premolar by a porcelain- made to modify the size and shape of faced gold pontic and of the first and any individual teeth or their replacements. second molars by solid metal. These pontics are supported by fixed attach- ments to full crowns on the canine, second CONCLUDING COMPARISON premolar, and third molar.
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London The diagram finally indicates metal Once we had reached agreement re- posts extending into the root canals of the garding the interpretation of the roent- upper right central and left lateral incisors, genological, diagrammatic and descriptive the crowns of which have restorations documents from Hitler’s files, uncovered typical of the Richmond crowns or Dowel in 1972 through the United States National crowns (sStift-Zahns). For the remaining Archives and Records Service, it became apical portions of the root canals in possible to make a concluding comparison, these teeth, a dotted line has been in- tooth by tooth, between this information dicated, since there is no clear-cut opacity and that deduced from the photographic, visible in any of the x-rays to suggest the diagrammatic and descriptive autopsy presence of a radiodense root canal data uncovered through the ))Unknown filling material. Documents from Soviet Archives)), re- Similarly, the lower right canine, in ported by Bezymenski in 1968. THE ODONTOLOGICAL IDENTiFiCATION OF ADOLF HITLER 67
HITLER'S DENTAL CONDITION BASED ON DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE (TABLE 1A)
EXAMINATION L? DIAGNOSIS 4MERICAN ARCHIVES SOVIET ARCHIVES MAJOR Jaw Location Status X-rays Script Sketch 'hotos Script Sketch DENTAL Ref. 4rea involved determined 1944 1945 1945 1945 1945 1945 AREAS No. (A) (B) (C) (D) (El (F) (G) (H) (1) UR 2nd Premolar Pontic 0 xx xxx
UR 1st Premolar Pontic 0 (x) (x) xxx
UR Canine Crown X xx xxo UR 2nd Incisor Pontic X xx x (x) x
UPPER UR 1st Incisor Dowel crown X xx x (x) 0 JAW BRIDGE UL 1st Incisor Window crown X xx OX0 AREA UL 2nd Incisor Dowel crown X xx xxx UL Canine Pontic x (x) (x) xxx Pontic 0 xx xxx UL 1st Premolar - - _ - - - - ____--_----_-_--_-___ Absent oxx Absent (x) x x x x
Ref. No. 2, E. F.: For the U.R. first premolar (51) Blaschke indicates a crown. >> >> 4, H.: For the U.R. lateral incisor (21) the Soviet report describes a dowel crown at one point but this is corrected later (see Bezymenski, 1968b, p. 57, line 4 from topj. 5, H.: For the U.R. central incisor (I])the Soviet report describes a crown. 6, E. H.: For the U.L. central incisor (]I)Blaschke and Soviet report indicate
For personal use only. distal defect on labial surface. 8, E. F.: For U.L. canine (13) Blaschke indicates a crown. 9, E. H.: For the U.L. first premolar (14) Blaschke and Soviet report indicate distal saw marks (after removal of 12). >> 10, C. D.: The U.L. second premolar (12) was extracted by Dr. Blaschke at the end of October 1944, shortly after the last head x-rays were taken. ?) I I, C. D.: A cantilevered pontic of the U.L. first molar (15) was attached to a crown on the second premolar which was extracted by Dr. Blaschke shortly after the last head x-rays had been taken (end of October, 1944).
Thus, Table I compares in great detail or another. By these means, we have Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London six major areas of the dentition. Every one proceeded to analyze areas of con- of the 32 individual teeth normally present formity versus discrepancy, as judged by in the adult human jaws has been ac- the various types of descriptive and counted for, whether present, absent, illustrative types of documentation ob- restored or replaced. Our principal atten- tained from each available source. tion has been directed towards the elements Any one observational point, which in entering into the bridgework of the maxilla our view was considered incomplete for and mandible. In both cases, each in- a definitive judgment to be made at this dividual unit of the bridges has been time, has been indicated by a zero, DO)). identified, whether constructed as a pontic Where the documentary evidence was replacing a lost tooth, or as a crown conclusive, the concurrence of the observa- fastened to an existing tooth in one way tions was checked positively with the letter 68 REIDAR F. SOGNNAES AND FERDINAND STROM
MAJOR DENTAL Jaw Location Status X-rays Script Sketch Photos Script Sketch Area involved AREAS Ref. determined 1944 1945 1945 1945 1945 1945 No. (A) (€3) (C) (DI (E) (F) (GI (H) (1) LOWER 12 LR 1st Molar Pontic ox X xxo JAW 13 LR 2nd Premola Crown xx X xxo BRIDGE 14 LR 1st Premolar (Bypassed) xx X xxo (right) 15 LR Canine 314 Crown xx X xxo 16 LL Canine Crown Ix xxo LOWER 17 LL 1st Premolar Pontic xxo JAW 18 LL 2nd Premola Crown xxo BRIDGE 19 , LL 1st Molar Pontic j xxo (left) 20 LL 2nd Molar Pontic xxo 21 LL 3rd Molar Crown X X xxo
INTACT 22/23 LR Incisors Present xx X xxx AREAS 24125 LL Incisors Present Ixx X xxx 26128 UR MI M2M3 VOID 29130 UL Mz& M3 Absent AREAS 31/32 , LR Mz& M3 Absent Bridge bypass Lingual bar xx X xxx from LR C-P, S PEC. I 33 i Alveolar bone AREAS 34 Periodontalresorption x jx x 0 1 i mand. incisors Ixx
FOOTNOTE TO TABLE IB
For personal use only. Ref. No. 17, G.: The pontic for the L.L. first premolar (17) is wider than normal due to distal drift of the L.L. second premolar (13). >) n 19/20. G.: The combined pontic for the L.L. first and second molars (167) is narrow- er than normal due to distal drift of the L.L. second premolar (IT) and mesial tipping of the L.L. third molar (IT).
DXD. Finally, we have used a bracket the case may be, we have also noted a D(X)D when such a positive record was few other special areas. namely, the apparent only from indirect, or less than unique lingual bar serving as a fixed
Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London adequate, observations or from data bridge bypass between the lower right pertinent to Hitler’s life, rather than post- canine and second premolar, and also mortem dental status, as, for example, the alveolar bone resorption around the items No. 10 and I I, Table IA, referring roots of the incisor teeth (Table 16). to Hitler’s 1944 x-rays. From this overall comparison of the Where the material at hand permitted odontological evidence (Tables TA, B), definitive conclusions, it will be noticed we conclude that the individual identified that there exists a remarkable conformity by means of the 1945 Hitler files located between the individual tooth identifica- in the U.S. National Archives in 1972, tions established through the analysis is the same person as that whose 1945 of the American and Soviet data. In autopsy report was published in 1968 addition to the individual teeth which were on the basis of the previously unknown present, absent, restored or replaced, as documents from Soviet Archives of 1945. THE ODONTOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF ADOLF HITLER 69
REFERENCES mann, Ltd., London, England. Copyright by Verlag Miinchen-Bern-Wien, 1965 Amrrictttr Archives trrid Records Service. 1945. Moser, W. 197 I. Adolf Hiiler: Legende, Mytos, Interrogation of Hitler’s dentist and physi- Wirklichkeit. Bechtle Verlag, Munich and cians (Nos. OI-FIR/3 I ; Or-C1R/2; and Esslingen, W. Germany OI-C1R/4) Morell, T. 1945. Hitler as Seen by his Doctors. U.S. Forces European Theater, Military Bez.yi?ieii.ski, L. 1968a. Der Tod des Adorf Hitler: Intelligence Service Center (APO 7571, Uiihekonii/~Dokumente nus Moskauer Arclri- Consolidated Interrogation Report, No. reti. Christian Wegner Verlag, Hamburg, 01-C1 R-4 W. Germany Rzhrvslta.vu, E. 1967. Hiilrr Elide ohm Mjihos. Bez,vinerrski, L. 1968b. The Deuth of Adolf Hitler: Deutsche Militfr Verlag (Original in Unkttown documents from Soviet Archives. Russian, 1965) Harcourt, Brace and World, New York, Sognnues, R. F., Wolcoti, R. B. & Xliongu, R. N.Y. 1972. Dental Erosion: I. Erosion-like pat- Bltrschke, H. 1946. Hitler’s Teeth. U.S. Forces terns occurring in association with other European Theater, Military Intelligence Ser- dental conditions. J. Amer. Dent. Assoc. vice Center (APO 757), Final Interrogation 84, 571-576 Report, No. OI-FIR/31 Feb. 1946 Trevor-Roper, H. R. 1970. The Last Dujs of Giesirrg, E. 1945. Hitler as Seen by his Doctors. Hiiler. Colier-Macmillan Company, Cana- U.S. Forces European Theater Military da, Ltd., Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Sixth Intelligence Service Center (APO 757), printing (Original copyright, 1947, 1962) Consolidated Interrogation Report, No. V(J~ZEiclten, K. 1945. Notes on medical treatment OI-CIR/2 or patient HM.F.D ())Mein Fuhrer))) from Kr/l.t, E. 1965. Hitler’s dental chart. J. Calif. May 15, 1935 to December 30, 1944. U.S. Dent. Assoc. 41, 424-425 National Archives and Records Divisions tiempiwr, R. 1969. Das Dritte Rrich im Kreuz- ML 125, 125a & 131 (In German only) wrhiir. Bechtle Verlag. Munich and Ess- WrilkhoJj; 0. 1928. Mein System der mediku- lingen, W. Germany mentosen Behnndlung sch werer Erkrurrkungen tiitby, E. 1945. The Russinm in Berlin. Translated der Zahnpulpn itnd des Periodontiitms. by Arnold J. Pomerans. William Heine- Meusser Verlag, Berlin For personal use only. Acta Odontol Scand Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by King's College London