Forensic Dentistry, Second Edition

360 Forensic dentistry

Those variables include, but are not necessarily limited to, the elastic and

other properties of human skin, the potential, constantly changing nature

of human teeth, and the complex dynamics of the act of biting. This does

not mean that bitemark evidence should not be used but that it should be

used only in those cases for which it has merit, just as fingerprints and DNA

should be used in those cases where their special advantages are useful. For

bitemarks these useful areas most often involve showing evidence of vio-

lence. Bitemarks indicate violence, pain, a struggle, with the possibility of

both offensive and defensive bites. Additionally and importantly, bitemarks

in skin may produce a profile of the biter. If the individual and specific char-

acteristics of the teeth are recorded in skin, forensic odontologists may be

Figure 14.30 Bitemark with high forensic/evidentiary value showing class
and individual characteristics. (profile suggested that biter had a missing lower
incisor and broken or malposed upper right incisors.) (see color insert following
page 304.)

Figure 14.31 suspect for bitemark seen in Figure 14.30. (this suspect was located,
arrested, and confessed to the attack.)