Forensic Dentistry, Second Edition

Forensic dental photography 235

Sometimes, nonvisible light photography can be used to help determine if

the injuries represent human bitemarks or come from another source. In such

cases, the use of digital full-spectrum photography benefits the investigator

since the resultant images are instantly available for review (Figures 11.48

to 11.53).

This chapter has dealt with the photographic techniques that apply to

collecting evidence of patterned injuries in skin, primarily human bitemarks.

Figure 11.42 ir.

Figure 11.43 Full spectrum color image of patterned injury with very little
forensic or evidentiary value. (see color insert following page 304.)

In this reported bitemark on the forearm of a homicide victim (Figures 11.40
to 11.43), the patterns are unclear in all imaging modes. Consequently, this
mark has very little forensic or evidentiary value. The use of multiple photo-
graphic modalities failed to increase the forensic/evidentiary value. The images
in Figures 11.40 to 11.43 are grayscale, UV, IR, and color, respectively.