Future of Forensic dentistry 407
manner. To prevent repeating the problems seen in some previous bitemark
trials, forensic dentists must take steps that lead to the accomplishment of
three goals:
- The uniqueness of the biting surfaces of the anterior teeth must be
clearly established by scientific research.
- A searchable database of the features of the biting surfaces of the anterior
human teeth must be developed that will allow the critical science-based
comparison of the teeth of suspected biters to the patterned injuries and
the teeth of a suspected biter to all other possible biters.
- Methods of imaging, analyzing, and comparing the patterns created
by teeth on human skin and accounting for the distortion involved
must be dependable and repeatable.
Until these tasks are completed, forensic odontologists must limit the
degree of certainty of their bitemark analysis comparison opinions. The
ABFO has already stated in their Standards for Bitemark Terminology that
“Terms assuring unconditional identification of a perpetrator, or without
doubt, are not sanctioned as a final conclusion.”^2
The authors/editors agree with and emphasize the principle stated earlier
in this book: “The association of one individual, in an open population, to a bite
pattern on human skin to a reasonable dental, medical, or scientific certainty based
on pattern analysis alone cannot be scientifically supported” (see Chapter 14).
Bitemark evidence is too potentially valuable to criminal investigations
and prosecutions to be lost to the system of justice. Forensic odontologists
must work to accomplish whatever tasks are required to ensure that this sig-
nificant resource is not lost. Forensic dentistry must commit to performing
the research that is needed and to continue to develop new techniques and
refine existing methodology based upon sound scientific principles.
18.3 Certifying Organizations and Certification
In 1976 the American Board of Forensic Odontology (ABFO) began certify-
ing dentists who had developed specified levels of knowledge, experience,
and skill as board-certified forensic odontologists. Currently the ABFO is
the only organization in North America that is accredited by the Forensic
Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB) to certify dentists in forensic odon-
tology. From that 1976 date through 2009, 145 dentists have been certified
and 97 remain active, including 6 of the 12 original founding members. The
ABFO is a dynamic and maturing certifying organization.
As stated in the ABFO diplomates manual, “certification is based upon the
candidate’s personal and professional record of education, training, experience
