Ex Parte Dolvin

We granted certiorari to review the decision of the Court of Criminal Appeals in Dolvin v. State, 391 So.2d 666 (Ala.Cr.App. 1979). The main issue presented for our consideration is whether the trial court erred in permitting a forensic odontologist to testify that in his opinion a skeleton found in Seminole County, Florida, was that of Charles Ray Lovett, based on a comparison of the skeletal teeth with inter vivos photographs of Charles Ray Lovett.

The facts as found in the opinion of the Court of Criminal Appeals are as follows:

On the night of August 16, 1970, Charles Ray Lovett…