The identification of unknown dead bodies depends on scientific and on non-scientific methods. Scientific methods include molecular-genetic examination (DNA), fingerprints and dental documents. Scientific methods are only successful when ante- mortem material exsist to be compared with post-mortem evidence. Ante-mortem produced and stored DNA-profils are relative seldom and therefore useless for routine ckeck-up. Keywords: identification, forensic odontology, archives of armed forces