Dental Shape Match Rates in Selected and Orthodontically Treated Populations in New York State: A Two-Dimensional Study

• NCJ Number: 234642
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 56 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2011 Pages: 621-626
• Author(s): H. David Sheets, Ph.D.; Peter J. Bush, B.S.; Cynthia Brzozaowski, D.M.D.; Lillian A. Nawrocki, D.D.S., M.A.; Phyllis Ho, D.D.S.; Mary A. Bush, D.D.S.
• Date Published: May 2011
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Presented at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 22–26, 2010, in Seattle, WA.

Annotation

This article examines bitemark analysis.

Abstract

Forensically identifying a suspect's dentition from a bitemark in an open population requires the supposition that every person's dental alignment is different. There have been few studies that have tested this claim. Four hundred and ten lower anterior dentitions from a selected population and 110 lower anterior dentitions from one that was orthodontically treated were measured using geometric morphometric analysis, allowing comparison of arch shape. Dental match rates of 1.46 percent and 42.7 percent of individuals were found in the respective populations, given an established measurement error. Orthodontic treatment had a strong effect on match rate suggesting that treated or naturally well-aligned dentitions may be indistinguishable. Sexual dimorphism was found to be only slightly significant. Principal shape variation in both populations was degree of arch curvature. Results of studying these populations show that dental matches can occur, and that statements of certainty concerning individualization in such populations should be approached with caution. (Published Abstract)