NCJ Number
227718
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 54 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2009 Pages: 909-914
Date Published
July 2009
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study tested the assumption of bitemark interpretation that the human dentition is unique to each individual and that its attributes can be accurately transferred to skin.
Abstract
This assumption was not confirmed by the findings. Results showed difficulty in distinguishing the biter from individuals with similarly aligned dentitions; and in some cases, an incorrect identification of the biter correlated better with the bite than the actual biter. The findings suggest that an open-population, postmortem bitemark should be carefully evaluated, particularly if limited to two-dimensional overlay comparison. This is due in part to distortion and loss of resolution in the transference of arch and dental characteristics to skin. A cadaver model was used to investigate whether the correct biter could be determined from similarly aligned dentitions once the dentitions were impressed in human skin. A total of 100 dental stone models, which were measured and determined to be unique, were divided into 10 groups based on similarities of mal-alignment patterns. One model was randomly selected from each group, and bites were made on unembalmed human cadavers. Metric/angular measurements and hollow volume overlays of the models were compared with the bites made. The percentage of dentitions from each group and the 100 dental model population that could not be excluded as the biter was determined. 2 tables, 10 figures, and 30 references