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Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
Effect of systematic dental shape modification in bitemarks
Hannah Holtkötter1, H David Sheets, Peter J Bush
1Laboratory for Forensic Odontology Research, School of Dental Medicine, SUNY at Buffalo, B1 Squire Hall, S. Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214, United States. h.holtkoetter@gmail.com
Forensic Science International
|April 20, 2013
Summary
Bitemark analysis can distinguish dental patterns if teeth are displaced by 5mm. Skin distortion exaggerates differences, particularly in the mandible, impacting forensic odontology. This study quantifies bitemark variability.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Odontology
- Biometrics
- Anthropology
Background:
- Bitemarks on skin often show distortion, making reliable tooth characteristic transfer uncertain.
- Previous studies indicate potential for coincidental matches in anterior dentition, raising questions about distinguishing features.
- Understanding how dental variations manifest in bitemarks is crucial for forensic identification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the degree of difference in dental casts that reliably distinguishes one dentition from another in bitemarks.
- To quantify the impact of tooth height and displacement variations on bitemark patterns.
- To assess the reliability of bitemark analysis in the context of dental distortion.
Main Methods:
- Systematic variations in tooth height (up to 3mm) and displacement (up to 5mm) were created in 10 dental casts.
- Repeated bitemarks were generated on un-embalmed cadaver skin (arms and legs).
- Landmark-based geometric morphometrics analyzed digital images of bitemarks and dental casts.
Main Results:
- Tooth displacement and height alterations significantly affected adjacent tooth impression positions.
- Bitemarks exaggerated dental differences, with 5mm tooth displacement allowing reliable distinction.
- No clear distinction threshold was found for height differences; mandibular arch showed greater distortion than maxillary.
Conclusions:
- A 5mm displacement is a key indicator for distinguishing between bitemarks.
- Dental distortion in bitemarks, especially from the mandible, can exaggerate variations.
- Bitemark analysis requires careful consideration of distortion effects and arch characteristics for accurate identification.
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