Replication of Known Dental Characteristics in Porcine Skin: Emerging Technologies for the Imaging Specialist

• NCJ Number: 244568
• Author(s): L. Thomas Johnson; Thomas W. Radmer; Dean Jeutter; Gary L. Stafford; Joseph Thulin; Thomas Wirtz; George Corliss; Kwang Woo Ahn; Alexis Visotky; Ronald L. Groffy
• Date Published: January 2014
• Length: 103 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2010-DN-BX-K176
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored)

Annotation

This research examined whether it is possible to replicate patterns of human teeth (bite marks) in pig skin and, if so, whether the bite patterns could be scientifically analyzed and matched with a degree of probability to members of an established population dataset.

Abstract

This study demonstrates that it is sometimes possible to replicate patterns of human teeth in pig skin and determine scientifically that a given injury pattern (bite mark) correlates with the dentitions of a very small proportion of a population dataset, e.g., 5 percent or even 1 percent. The authors recommend building on the template of this research with a sufficiently large database of samples that reflects the diverse world population. They also envision the development of a sophisticated imaging software application that enables forensic examiners to insert parameters for measurement, as well as additional methods of applying force to produce bite marks for research. The authors further advise that this project is applied science for injury pattern analysis and is only foundational research that should not be cited in testimony and judicial procedures. It supplements but does not contradict current guidelines of the American Board of Forensic Odontology regarding bite mark analysis and comparisons. A much larger population database must be developed. The project's methodology is described in detail, accompanied by 11 tables and 41 figures. 47 references