Individual Evidence Bite marks like fingerprints are unique

Individual Evidence • Bite marks, like fingerprints, are unique forensic odontologist will make a cast or take pictures of the bite marks •

Types of Bites • A clear impression means that there was significant pressure; • obvious bite signifies medium pressure • noticeable impression means that the biter used violent pressure to bite down.

Clear, obvious, noticeable •

Individual and Class Characteristics • A human bite mark will be elliptical or circular and • will display the specific characteristics of the teeth • List 5 class characteristics

Food can be evidence • Comparing the Bite patterns on food

Measurements

Matching mold to bite mark

Analysis of Bite Mark

Class Characteristics • Shape of arch • Tooth alignment • thickness • width • spacing • Missing teeth • Other unique features

Terminology • Positive identification-exact match • Possible identification-consistencies exist, but not enough to make an exact match • Insufficient evidence-not enough evidence • Exclusion-does NOT match

Part 1: Make an Impression 1 – Fold the Styrofoam plate in half. Maxilla 2 – Label one side MAXILLA and the other MANDIBLE. Mandible 3 – Gently bite down on the plate to leave your bite mark impression. Maxilla 4 – Place a sheet of the plastic film over the impression and use a permanent marker to recreate the pattern to match that of your bite mark. 5 – Use a ruler to make the measurements shown and record in the table below along with any notes regarding unique characteristics you observe in the teeth. http: //forensicfact. files. wordpress. com/2008/05/cast_negative_resized_copy. jpg Mandible Width Depth