NCJ Number
171252
Journal
Policing Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: (1997) Pages: 223-234
Date Published
1997
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Case histories of men who committed serial rape/murder are presented to illustrate the value of forensic odontology in the analysis of human bite mark injuries.
Abstract
Forensic odontology has proven to be accurate and important in violent rape cases, especially since the perpetrator bites his victim in almost all such cases. Bite mark evidence is usually first observed by the police investigator, coroner, or pathologist on a body at the scene of a violent sex crime. The forensic odontologist is specially trained in techniques for obtaining proper impressions, cast preparation, and final comparison of bite mark and teeth impressions. After the victim has been photographed, the forensic odontologist uses ultraviolet or infrared illumination to expose bruises and bite marks under the skin. Because bite mark evidence can be invisible to the naked eye, ultraviolet photography is important in uncovering and enhancing such evidence. Saliva samples should also be collected from victims and/or suspects for analysis. Case studies of bite mark evidence indicate forensic odontology and ultraviolet lighting are beneficial in the capture of serial rapists and murderers. 27 references and 1 table