Bernard Sims died on 29 November 2006. Known affectionately as Bernie, he was the father figure of Forensic Odontology in the United Kingdom. Born in East London in 1931, he was educated at Raines Foundation Grammar School. In 1950 he was accepted at Queen Mary College, but his studies were interrupted by National Service in the Royal Navy, both at home and in the Far East, where he was awarded the United Nations Korean Medal.

Bernie resumed his studies at The London Hospital Medical College Dental School, obtaining his LDS in 1960 and his BDS in 1961 and, after a house job, went into general practice firstly in Hatton Garden and then in Canning Town. He immediately undertook forensic duties, on a voluntary basis, and by 1963 had enough experience to present a paper at an international meeting on Forensic Medicine in Amsterdam. This was followed over the next 30 years by more than 30 papers and chapters in medical, dental and legal textbooks. His own textbook, Forensic Odontology (1973), co-authored with Professor 'Taffy' Cameron, became an international standard.

Bernie's contribution to dentistry came at a price; he attended some of the worst mass disasters in the world, including the BA Trident plane crash at Heathrow in 1972 and the Lockerbie plane crash in 1988; the King's Cross fire in 1987; the Moorgate train crash in 1975 and the sinking of the Marchioness Riverboat in 1989.

Despite all the horror, Bernie kept his compassion and his sense of humour.

He was a natural teacher, obtaining his first honorary lectureship in Forensic Odontology at the London in 1967 and becoming Senior Lecturer in 1975. In the 1990s he held three honorary senior lectureships all at the same time!

...his lectures were entertaining, compassionate and always instructive.

He lectured all over the world and his lectures were entertaining, compassionate and always instructive. He spoke at innumerable BDA groups, and in 2001 was awarded the MBE.

Almost single handed Bernie built forensic odontology into the essential place it has today. He taught a whole generation of dentists the importance of dental records as a means of identification and enthused many to follow in his footsteps.

Bernie Sims was a kind, unassuming man, with a wealth of stories to tell. He was universally respected and his many friends around the world will miss him. Bernie's beloved wife Gwen died in 2003, but he is survived by his daughter Jane.