Bitemarks: Presentation, Analysis, and Evidential Reliability (From Forensic Pathology Reviews, Volume 3, P 157-179, 2005, Michael Tsokos, ed, -- See NCJ-209976)

• NCJ Number: 209980
• Author(s): Jules Kieser Ph.D.; Geoffrey Tompkins Ph.D.; Donna Buckingham L.L.B; Norman A. Firth MDSc; Michael Swain Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2005
• Length: 23 pages
• Sale Source: Humana Press Inc.
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter reviews the evidential usefulness of bitemarks and describes a new bacterial fingerprinting technique.

Abstract

A bitemark is defined as the “physical alteration on a surface” caused by the “dentition of a human or animal.” The usefulness of bitemarks as evidence in a court of law is contentious for many reasons, including the presumed uniqueness of the human dentition, variable visco-elastic properties of human skin, and the qualitative nature of the analysis of bitemarks. The first part of the chapter considers the presentation and prevalence of human and animal bitemarks, followed by an examination of bitemarks in food. Next, the visco-elastic properties of human skin are considered, along with the individuality of teeth. The authors offer a critical analysis of current methods of bitemark evaluation before introducing a novel technique involving bacterial genotyping to “fingerprint” bitemarks. Finally, the evidential reliability of bitemark analysis is evaluated in light of its current ease of admission as evidence. Figures, references