Anthropological Studies


Bite Marks: A Forensic Odontological Evidence

Article Number: VCV140826 Volume 03 | Issue 02 | October - 2020 ISSN: 2581-4966
05th Oct, 2020
13th Oct, 2020
19th Oct, 2020
28th Oct, 2020

Authors

Neha Sharma, Lakshika Vaishnav

Abstract

Forensic Odontology is the branch of applied science that deals with the proper handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidence which is used in the court of law. It plays a vital role in the identification of a person when other methods cannot be used such as in case of decomposed body or in case of mass destruction. Bite marks are found in offensive cases like sexual assault or in cases involving biting for self-defense. Bite marks should be photographed as soon as possible to prevent loss of evidence due to healing process of skin in case of living victim or decomposition in case of dead body or deformation in case of bite mark present on food, its casting should also be made for further comparison as it possesses fine details of the impression. Forensic odontologist plays a major role in the process of identification of the person utilizing different comparison techniques such as odontometric triangle method, image perception software method and special methods such as Vectron Method, Stereometric Graphic Analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopic analysis. Key Words: Bite Marks, Odontology, Identification, Analysis

Introduction

Keiser-Neilson in 1970 defined forensic odontology or forensic dentistry as “that branch of forensic medicine which in the interest of justice, deals with the proper handling and examination of dental evidence and also with proper evaluation and presentation of the dental findings” (Priyadharsini et al., 2015). Mac Donald in defined a bitemark as “a mark caused by teeth either alone or in combination with other mouth parts” (Mac Donald, 1979).

Location of the Bite Marks: Bite marks can be found on food or human body or inanimate objects such as bottle cap, cigarette bud, cigar, pipes, etc. Generally, bite marks are found in crimes related to sexual or physical assault or in cases related to fights. Bite marks can be associated with offensive crimes such as homicides, sexual assaults, or child abuse cases and can be produced as a result of self-defense or they can be self-inflicted too for example in case of epileptic fits (Gorea et al., 2005).

The role of a forensic odontologist is to collect, preserve, evaluate, and interpret the bite mark evidence. By preparing dental evidence Forensic Odontologist assists legal authorities in different situations such as:

• Management and maintenance of dental records that include all the unique dental information: Dental identification is based on the foundation of these data.

• Identification of human remains by comparing antemortem and post mortem dental information: This data is useful in cases that involve the death of an individual or multiple death in mass disaster cases.

• Collection and analysis of bite marks on inanimate objects or injured tissue: This evidence is used to identify whether the bite mark was inflicted by a human or an animal.

• Recognition of the signs and symptoms of human abuse and the rights and responsibilities of the dental healthcare practitioner when reporting such abuse.

• Presentation of dental evidence as an expert witness in identification, bite mark, human abuse, malpractice, fraud, and personal injury cases in the court of law.

• Ascertainment of the age of the individual.

• Determination of the sex of the individual (Neville, 113-119).

Classifications of Bite Marks: Mac Donald gave an etiological classification of bite marks:

a. Tooth pressure marks are caused by the incisal edge of anterior teeth.

b. Tongue pressure marks seen as the impression of the palatal surface.

c. Tooth scrapes marks may be scratches and abrasions that can indicate irregularities in the teeth such as incisal fractures, attrition, and restorations.

d. Complex marks are a combination of all the above which are sometimes complicated by multiple bites.

Gustafson also gave a clinical classification of bite marks:

a. Sadistic or sexual bite is well defined as it is usually made slowly.

b. Aggressive bite is caused by impressing across the tissue and is made quickly.

c. Most aggressive bite results in the tissue being bitten off usually involve ears, nose, and nipples (Gorea et al., 2005).

Forensic Importance of Bite Marks

Using a class and individual characteristics it is possible to identify a particular type of teeth. Class characteristics include rectangular marks produced by incisors, triangular or rectangular canines, amount of attrition, spherical or point-shaped premolars and molars whereas individual characteristics include fractures, spacing, alignment, fillings, false tooth, etc. (Gupta et al., 2014)

References

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How to cite this article?

APA StyleSharma, N., & Vaishnav, L. (2020). Bite Marks: A Forensic Odontological Evidence. Academic Journal Of Anthropological Studies, 3(2), 12-18.
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