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Forensic dentistry's role in solving homicide cases is not limited to victim and other human identifications. This science also can apply to perpetrators, human as well as animal, and can clarify historical incidents that occurred many years ago. In two cases more than 90 years apart, three African lions were jointly responsible for the killing of 141 humans for food, replacing their normal animal prey. A thorough dental analysis identified pathologies that may have forced the cats to select slower and less troublesome prey (humans) over their traditional food sources. The uncanny ability of these lions to avoid traps, ambushes, and gunfire while they continued to prey on so many well-armed and forewarned men remains unexplained.

Two cases of man-eating lions feeding on large numbers of humans (1898, 1991) are discussed. The forensic dental evidence from the lions' remains and eyewitness reports indicate all three lions had serious dental/oral pathology, which may have contributed to their selection of human food over more challenging natural animal prey.