Forensic Dentistry, Second Edition

Bitemarks 333

A bitemark may be caused by a human biting another human, by an

animal biting a human, or by either biting an object. Teeth marks are passive,

as they involve no active, intentional or reflexive jaw movement, whereas in

bitemarks the jaw muscles are active, causing the jaws and thence the teeth

to move into the bitten substrate. Teeth mark examples include marks left by

teeth on steering wheels, dashboards, or other objects during motor vehicle

accidents. If struck in the mouth, the teeth of the victim may leave imprints

Figure 14.25 Bitemark with high forensic/evidentiary value. (see color insert
following page 304.)

Figure 14.26 another bitemark with high forensic/evidentiary value. (see color
insert following page 304.)