166  Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, November 2019, Vol.

DOI Number:
10, No. 11 10.5958/0976-5506.2019.03446.6

Bite Mark Analysis in Dentistry: An Emerging Probe of

Criminal Investigation in Judicial System

Rashmi Kumari

Intern, Institute of Dental Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar

Abstract
Bitemark analysis is now-a-days an emerging tool used by dentists for criminal investigation purpose. In spite
of a number of method used for bitemark analysis, 3-Dimentional method of analysis is the most reliable and
commonly used method. Bitemark analysis process includes registration of both bitemark from the victim
and the assailant’s dentition, comparison of the bitemark and dentition and inspection of similarities and
dissimilarities. Forensic Odontology is defined as the branch of dentistry which in intertest of justice deals
with proper handling, examination and comparison of dental evidence and presentation of dental findings.

This article discusses about the highlights of importance and method of bitemark identification in judiciary
system.

Keywords:  Bite Mark Analysis, Forensic Odontology, highlights of importance and method of bitemark
analysis, Assailant dentition.

Introduction relationship, Form of the dental arch, Mesiodistal

According to Mc Doland (1974) mark formed by
teeth either alone orin combination with other parts
of mouth like tongue3. By Beckstead (1979)-imprints
caused by the cutting edges of teeth on an object due
to closing of the mouth4. In cases of sexual assault bite
marks are commonly seen in specific body parts as in
neck, genitals and breasts. Also in cases of violent fights
and child abuse bite marks can be seen on buttocks,
shoulder, arms and other areas like that on thighs. Hence
cross-matching of bite-marks to an potential assailants
dentition may aid the judicial system by solving the
criminal cases.
Thus, in order to consider bite-marks as an reliable
record of identification requires analysis of a set of
peculiar dental features which include5; Shape and
size of each tooth, Missing tooth, Maxilla-mandibular
Corresponding Author:
Rashmi Kumari
Intern, Institute of Dental Sciences, Siksha O
Anusandhan Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar
e-mail: rashmikumari@gmail.com
measurement of tooth, Any dental anomalies like as
mesidens, paramolars, diastemas, rotation, peglateral,
buccoverted or linguoverted and many more.
Classification of Bite-Marks:
Based on Origin6,7:
1. Animal bite Marks-caused due to biting of animals.
2. Human bite marks-inflicted by humans itself.
Based on manner of causation6,7:
1. Criminal-bite-marks seen in any criminal cases of
sexual assault or child abuse. They are of two types.
a. Offensive bite-marks-bite-mark made upon
the subject by the assailant.
b. Defensive bite-marks-bite-mark made upon
the assailant by the victim.
2. Non-Criminal bitemark-bite-marks caused by
own self or others, eg. Love bites.
Based on the etiology: (by Mc Donald in 1974)8:
1. Tooth Pressure Marks-bite marks caused by the
incisal edges of the anterior teeth.
 Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, November 2019, Vol. 10, No. 11  167
2. Tongue Pressure Marks-caused when ample
amount of soft tissue is taken in mouth, the tongue
presses it against the hard areas of mouth like the
lingual aspect of tooth and the rugae.
3. Tooth Scrape Marks-bitemarks due to the
irregularities in teeth caused due to fractures or
restorations.
4. Complex BiteMarks-it is combination of all the
above types of bite marks.
Based on the degree of indentation and borders
of the bite marks (by Shashikala K in 2003)9:
1. Haemorrhage: bite marks with a small bleeding
point.
2. Abrasion: bite marks on skin without any damaging
of the overlying skin.
3. Contusion: Bite-mark on skin appearing as a bruise
due to rupture of the blood vessels.
4. Laceration: almost near to damaging of the skin.
5. Avulsion: bite marks showing removal of the
overlying skin.
6. Artefact: bitten off piece of the body.
7. Clearly Defined-bite mark resulting from the
application of a small magnitude of pressure.
8. Obviously Defined-bite mark caused by the
application of first degree of pressure.
9. Quite Noticeable: bite mark caused due to
application of violent pressure leading to laceration
of the skin.
Clinical Appearance of Bite-Marks:
Characteristically, human bite-marks appear as
a round or oval mark with a central area of contusion
bruise or ecchymosis caused by the mandibular and
maxillary arches, where ecchymosis being the result of
the tongue pressure.10
Common Location Sites for Bite-marks: Bite-
marks can be found on any body parts with specific
sites associated with specific type of assault. According
to Pretty and Sweet, in feminine gender bite marks
are usually found on the breasts, shoulder and lower
extremeties (mostly on inner aspect of thigh) as result of
any physical or sexual assault.2
In cases of male child abuse, bite marks are usually
seen on the genital areas. But as for cases of adult male
sexual assaults bite marks are commonly found on
phalanges, fore arm, shoulders, as a result of fights in
his defense.11 Also self caused bite marks in adults and
adolescence age group people are commonly seen on the
inner aspest of Hand.12,13
Evidence collection in Bite-mark Analysis: Saliva
swabs: A cotton swab wettened with distilled water is
used. This hydrates the dried cells in the bitten region.
The swab is then dried for about half an hour at normal
room temperature and then kept in labelled packets and
stored at a temperature of 40C in order to prevent DNA
rupture and microbial growth.2
Double Swab Technique: In this technique first
the bitten site is wettened using a wet cotton swab with
sterile saline, then drying the bitten site using another
dry swab. And both the cotton swabs are sent for the
bite-mark analysis.14
Bite-mark Photograph: Immediate photographs of
the injury sites should be taken because rapid changes
occur in appearance due to healing. Both colour and
black and white pictures should be taken from various
angles.
2 types of photographic views which are used
are2:
1. Orientation images: depicts the location of bite
marks on the body.
2. Close-up images. Images of the bite-marks are
taken using chromic photographic films and high
resolution cameras.15
Impressions of the Bite Injury: Material of
choice for impression making is Vinyl Polysiloxane.16
Transillumination of the excised bite-mark in the
deceased subject.17 Test Bites.16
Method used in Bite-marks Analysis:
1. Direct Method: In this method, direct comparison
of bite marks on the skin of the subject is done
with the dental casts and images obtained from the
potential assailant.18
2. Overlays: Overlays are colourless transparent
acetate sheets used to transfer information from
the dental cast. Overlays are then used to compare
the cutting edges of the assailants bite-mark
photography.2
168  Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, November 2019, Vol. 10, No. 11
3. 3-Dimensional Comparison: this is one of the
most reliable method used now-a-days for bite-
mark analysis. This is done using 3-D overlays and
geometric morphometric analysis. This method is
completely machine controlled.19
Softwares in Bite-mark Analysis:
1. Adobe-Photoshop-Software: widely used software
in bite-mark analysis.2
2. Dental-Print software: developed by the Dept.
Of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Odontology;
University of Granada.20
Concluding Statements in a Bite-mark Analysis:
By Levine and American Board Of Forensic
Odontology (ABFO):2
Definite Biter: medical certainty+ bitemark pattern
similar to assailant dentition.
Probable Biter: degree of specificity with assailant
teeth > matching points
Possible Biter: non-specific match.
Not a Biter: not at all consistent.
Conclusion
Bite-mark analysis, being a newer aspect of Forensic
Dentistry, needs to be established as a potent and reliable
probe of investigation in the judiciary system. But due to
not so advanced technologies and errors while collection
of evidence and its analysis and comparison, sometimes
results in wrongful accusation of the innocent leading to
incorrect verdict in a criminal investigation. Hence it is
the utmost need of the time that standard criterion should
be developed for evidence collection and comparison of
the bite marks.
Conflict of Interest: None
Ethical Permission: Approved
Funding: Nil
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