Use of alternative light source illumination in bite mark photography

Area of Science:

• Forensic science
• Biomedical optics
• Dermatology

Background:

• Human skin exhibits unique optical properties, including autofluorescence, absorption, and reflectance.
• Understanding these properties is crucial for forensic investigations involving pattern injuries.
• Previous studies have explored monochromatic light exposure on skin in vitro and in vivo.

Observation:

• Illumination with 450-nanometer blue light causes a Stokes Shift deviation in skin's absorbed and reflected light energy.
• This deviation can augment the visibility of pattern injuries when viewed with colored blocking filters.
• Bitemark injuries on both living and deceased individuals were photographed for comparison.

Findings:

• Photographic comparison revealed differences in bitemark visibility between fluorescent and full-spectrum imaging.
• Fluorescent imaging, particularly under specific light conditions, shows potential for enhancing subtle bitemark patterns.
• The study assessed the corroborability and usefulness of each imaging technique for forensic casework.

Implications:

• Enhanced visualization of bitemarks can improve accuracy in forensic identification.
• This research may lead to improved photographic techniques in forensic investigations.
• The findings support the utility of specific light-based imaging in analyzing pattern injuries on human skin.