Bitemarks 337
et al. reported that females were more likely to be bitten than males, with
adult females the most often bitten group. The areas of the body most often
bitten included arms, backs, legs, faces and breasts overall, with some
sex-related differences, women’s breasts, for example, were more often bitten
than men’s. The four studies were in general agreement, although Harvey
in 1976 and Pretty and Sweet in 2000 reported higher rates of bitemarks on
breasts. In 1976 Harvey reported no bitemarks on the back and very few on
legs and feet, but higher rates of abdomen bites (Chart 14.1). These reports
indicate that almost any area of the body can be bitten, and that in violent
exchanges the attacker, the attacked, and sometimes both may bite. This is
useful information and emphasizes the propriety of taking dental impres-
sions on deceased victims with bitemarks and interviewing living victims
about the possibility that they also bit their attacker.
14.3 Bitemark Case Management
14.3.1 Evidence Collection
14.3.1.1 Evidence from the Bitemark or Patterned Injury
In this chapter we will not deal with the detailed technical aspects of evi-
dence collection. This subject is adequately covered in the ABFO bitemark
19763530252015105(^0) Arm/HandBa ck Leg/F
oo t
Fa ce/Head/Ne
ck
Brea stShoulderAb domenGenitali
a
1983 2000 2005
Chart 14.1 Comparison of bitemark locations in four studies by percentage of
bitemarks reported.