Bite mark analysis and comparison using image perception technology

To analyse and compare a bite mark left on human skin with a suspect's dentition is a difficult procedure. The assumption that the human dentition is unique plays an important role in this process. However it is near impossible to prove that a particular bite mark was produced by a specific dentition. Key elements to analyse a bite mark are the amount of detail available in the information about the bite mark and the suspected biter's dentition. Both are of vital importance to the investigating forensic odontologist. In this article a new method of analysing bite marks using image perception technology is described. With this technology it is possible to artificially colour areas with equal intensity values and depict a 2-D image as a pseudo-3-D surface object. The use of image perception technology may allow visualization of a degree of detail unavailable with any other method.