Bite Marks as Physical Evidence from the Crime Scene-An Overview

Abstract

Bites have been found in cases of homicide, attempted suicide, sexual assault, and child abuse Bite marks with high evidentiary value that can be used in comparisons with the suspects’ teeth will include marks from specific teeth that accurately record distinct traits. This article explores the scientific basis of bite mark evidence. Each person has a unique dental arrangement and that these unique features are sufficiently replicated in a bite mark to identify an individual to the exclusion of all others. Before examination, it is pertinent to separate the dental uniqueness used in dental identifications from the uniqueness of human bite marks. Such characteristics include fractures, rotations, attritional wear, malformations, etc. When these are recorded in the injury it may be possible to compare them to identify the specific teeth that caused the injury. This article aims to address the forensic aspects of bite marks evidence from the crime scene.