The individualisation of a dog bite mark: a case study highlighting the bite mark analysis, with emphasis on differences between dog and human bite marks

Forensic Odontology is the science that correlates dental and legal principles, used for processes such as human identification. One of the possible acting fields for Forensic Odontologists is the analysis and study of patterns and injuries created by human bite marks. This study aimed to show the applicability of dental marks printed in chewing gum for human identification in forensic investigations. A transversal observational study was carried out. The data was collected from 20 volunteers over 18 years old. Each subject had their upper and lower dental casts and was asked to chew a piece of gum for one minute. The pieces of chewing gum were refrigerated at -20ºC for a week, and reproduced with addition and condensation silicones using an adapted reproduction technique. The analysis of the chewing gum was made by overlays. The ANOVA test showed no significant differences on width and length between the pieces of chewing gum and their reproductions (greatest width p=0.918, and the length p=0.981). The analysis of the reproductions with plaster mold showed that there was no difference when using addition silicone or condensation silicone. During the analysis, various suspects could be excluded from the investigation (up to 11, depending on the technique used), but it was not possible to confirm one of them as the main suspect. The study showed that the reproduction technique of chewing gum is efficient, viable and easily performed; and can be used in cases of human identification in forensic investigations. However, it is necessary to certify that the chewing gum effectively presents a bite mark and that it is correctly handled to avoid alterations. It also became evident that the process of refrigeration is essential for the analysis proposed in this study.

Download Full-text

Exploring the degrees of distortion in simulated human bite marks

International Journal of Legal Medicine ◽

10.1007/s00414-019-02163-5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 134 (3) ◽

pp. 1043-1049 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Neha Dama ◽

Andrew Forgie ◽

Scheila Mânica ◽

Gavin Revie

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Digital Camera ◽

The Body ◽

Central Incisor ◽

Photographic Recording ◽

Human Bite ◽

Bite Marks ◽

Bite Mark ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Type 3

Abstract The properties of the skin and the posture of the body during photographic recording are factors that cause distortion in the bite mark injury. This study aimed to explore the degree of distortion between a ‘touch mark’ (method 1) and a ‘bite mark’ (method 2) on the left upper arm at three different positions (arm relaxed; arm flexed in two different positions). A pair of dental casts with biting edges coated in ink was used to create a mark in 30 subjects (6 ♂, 24 ♀) aged 20–50 years old. Photographs were taken using a Nikon DX digital camera (D5000). The mesiodistal widths and angle of rotations of both upper right central incisor and lower right central incisor and the inter-canine distances were analysed and compared with the true measurements using Adobe Photoshop CC 2017. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS Statistics 22 applying a 2 (mark type) × 3 (position) repeated measures ANOVA. For all measures studied, there was a statistically significant difference between mark types and positions. In the case of bite marks, a great degree of distortion was detected, and this increased further when changing the position of the arm. The findings demonstrated that skin properties and posture influence distortion. This could lead to inaccurate measurements and misleading pattern interpretation of bite mark injuries.

Download Full-text

Evaluation and Treatment of Patients with Human Bite Marks

American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology ◽

10.1097/00000433-198906000-00009 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 140-143 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Michael H. Gold ◽

Henry H. Roenigk ◽

E Steven Smith ◽

Larry J. Pierce

Keyword(s):

Human Bite ◽

Bite Marks

Download Full-text

Identification of children and adults through federal and state dental identification systems: Recognition of human bite marks

Forensic Science International ◽

10.1016/0379-0738(86)90013-7 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 30 (2-3) ◽

pp. 187-193 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Norman (Skip) Sperber

Keyword(s):

Human Bite ◽

Dental Identification ◽

Bite Marks

Download Full-text

USE OF BITEMARKS FOR HUMAN IDENTIFICATION BY USING INTER-CANINE DISTANCE AND MESIO-DISTAL WIDTH OF MAXILLARY INCISORS.

10.36106/ijsr/7016893 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

Sargam R. Parate ◽

Aayushi Chauhan ◽

Ashish Bodhade ◽

Alka Dive

Keyword(s):

Human Identification ◽

The Body ◽

Forensic Sciences ◽

Correct Identification ◽

The Third ◽

Bite Marks ◽

Bite Mark ◽

Average Proportion ◽

Food Particles ◽

Maxillary Incisors

Aim: to determine the use of bite marks for human identification by using inter- canine distance and mesio-distal width of maxillary incisors. Introduction: Odontogenic evidence is considered to be the third most precise method of identification of human in forensic sciences. Bite-marks on the body are intentionally made, those found on food particles are usually impractically left by the offender at the scene of crime, these marks are of great importance in identification of the offender. The present study was aimed to determine the use of bitemarks for human identification by using inter-canine distance and mesio-distal width of the maxillary incisors. Materials and Methods: 40 consenting volunteers were included in the study. With the help of autoclaved Vernier calliper, the inter-canine distance and mesio-distal width of maxillary incisors were measured and bite on chocolate (CADBURY 5Star) was taken. Using Vernier calliper, Inter-canine distance and Mesio-distal width (2 maxillary central and 2 lateral incisors), were measured from the bite mark. Both measurements obtained were coded and matching was done by two doubly blinded examiners. Results: The probability of correct identification on the basis of IC distance and MD width obtained from bite-marks is 68.35%. The average proportion of correct matching is 0.78 for IC distance measurement and 0.46 for MD width. Conclusion: Metric method can be used for human identification by using bite-mark. IC distance is more reliable and efficient in human identification than MD width.

Download Full-text

Canine Bite-Mark Evidence in Veterinary Necropsy: Case Studies Featuring the Bite-Mark Examination

Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca Veterinary Medicine ◽

10.15835/buasvmcn-vm:2018.0046 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 76 (1) ◽

pp. 93

Author(s):

Adrian Florin GAL ◽

Roxana CORA ◽

Flaviu TᾸBᾸRAN ◽

Andras NAGY ◽

Cornel CǍTOI

Keyword(s):

Veterinary Medicine ◽

Subcutaneous Tissue ◽

Veterinary Science ◽

Internal Organs ◽

Cutaneous Wounds ◽

Bite Marks ◽

Bite Mark ◽

Veterinary Pathology ◽

Tissue Rupture ◽

Bite Wounds

Forensic veterinary medicine tends to gain increasing importance in veterinary pathology, the number of such cases being still limited. The paper describes cases with multiple cutaneous wounds, with emphasis on bite-mark analysis. The material was represented by corpses (deer and dogs) brought by local authorities to Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca (Romania), along with preliminary reports issued by the competent organs. A complete medicolegal survey was done. The cases analyzed by us displayed numerous usually symmetrical (opposed) wounds, with angular margins and elongated aspect (somehow specific to bite wounds). All cases assessed presented laceration of the skin from the subcutaneous tissue, rupture of muscle and (in some cases) perforation of internal organs. The features of the bite-marks described were typical for carnivores. Depending on the species involved, the topography of lesions varied. In deer, the ventrolateral area of the neck and the lumbar/dorsal region were more commonly affected. The distribution suggests the hunting instinct of carnivores by trying to induce suffocation of the prey. In the analyzed dog corpses, the most affected areas were the auricular, limbs, sternal region, abdominal region. Investigation of bite-marks is an evolving field of forensic veterinary science and remains a provocation for veterinary pathologists.

Download Full-text