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Measuring the Complete-arch Distortion of an Optical Dental Impression
Published on: May 30, 2019
Inquiry into the scientific basis for bitemark profiling and arbitrary distortion compensation
Mary A Bush1, Howard I Cooper, Robert B J Dorion
1Laboratory for Forensic Odontology Research, School of Dental Medicine, SUNY at Buffalo, B1 Squire Hall, S. Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA. bushma@buffalo.edu
Journal of Forensic Sciences
|April 14, 2010
Summary
Bitemark profiling and photographic distortion correction in forensic odontology may be unreliable due to non-uniform skin distortion. These methods can produce misleading dental patterns inconsistent with the actual biter's dentition.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Odontology
- Bitemark Analysis
- Biomechanical Analysis
Background:
- Bitemark analysis commonly uses bitemark profiling and photographic distortion compensation.
- Recent studies question these practices due to skin tension properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reliability of bitemark profiling and photographic distortion compensation.
- To assess the impact of skin tension on bitemark analysis accuracy.
Main Methods:
- 66 bitemarks were created using a biting apparatus on human cadaver skin.
- Bitemarks were photographed, scaled 1:1, and analyzed using Adobe Photoshop.
- Metric/angular measurements and hollow volume dental overlays were used to assess distortion.
Main Results:
- Distortional ranges were nonuniform within and between bitemarks.
- Uniform photographic scaling does not correct for observed skin distortion.
- 38% of bitemarks yielded misleading patterns when profiled, with inconsistent features.
Conclusions:
- Bitemark profiling may produce inaccurate results due to variable distortion.
- Arbitrary photographic distortion compensation is unreliable for bitemark analysis.
- Current practices in bitemark analysis require re-evaluation based on these findings.
