VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) – A northwestern Indiana sheriff has enlisted three dentists as forensic investigators, filling a need that includes matching bite marks to suspects and using dental records to identify bodies.

Porter County Sheriff David Reynolds recently swore in the dentists as part of his department's forensic dentistry team. He also used dentists during two earlier two terms as sheriff.

Reynolds tells the Post-Tribune (http://trib.in/1DvAF7G ) it's important to have such expertise available in investigations.

The dentists are team captain Jim Cahillane of Hobart; Gene Ranieri of Valparaiso; and Eric Pulver of Highland. Reynolds also used Cahillane when he was with the Portage Police Department and during his earlier terms as sheriff.

Reynolds says he expects the dentists will train the department's investigators on preserving evidence and related matters this summer.