NCJ Number
214137
Date Published
2006
Length
27 pages
Annotation
After an introductory review of the nature and history of forensic odontology (the application of dentistry science for legal purposes) in identifying unknown remains, this chapter focuses on how to document and analyze bite mark evidence to identify the person who made the bite mark.
Abstract
The identification of unknown remains through dental characteristics is done by comparing the dental records of a pool of persons believed to include the unknown victim with dental characteristics determined from examining the dental characteristics of the remains. Means of conducting such a comparative examination are discussed. Procedures are described for recovering dental evidence at crime scenes, crash scenes, and the site where bodies are discovered. Procedures for obtaining dental records held by dentists who worked on possible victims prior to time of death are also described. Comparison procedures for antemortem and postmortem dental records focus on the determination of the age, race, and sex of the victim. Dental identification procedures for victims of a mass disaster are discussed in a separate section of the chapter. The discussion of bite mark evidence as a means of identifying a crime suspect notes that, unlike fingerprints, the teeth of a suspect can be changed through dental restorations, self-inflicted mutilation, or extraction. There is no national depository of bite marks that can be used as a standard for measuring individuality; however, a clearly defined bite mark may provide clues as to the dental profile of a suspect, such as gaps between the teeth, a missing tooth, or a chipped tooth. The chapter concludes with discussions of bite mark recognition and analysis, the preservation of bite mark evidence, bite marks on inanimate objects, the recovery of bite mark evidence from the suspect, and the evaluation and comparison of bite mark evidence. 22 figures and 84 references