Bite Marks – Revisited

Abstract

Bitemark analysis can be used for comparison of a known person’s dentition to a patterned injury which appears consisistent with a bitemark. This type of comparison is used to confirm or eliminate the identity of a suspect in relation to the bitemark. Because of the definite subjectivity in bite mark analysis it is considered as one of the most controversial of all forensic science investigations. There is a paucity of literature regarding the application and limitation of bite mark analysis in forensic science investigations. The aim of this paper is to review the current trends, applicability and guidelines of bite mark analysis.