A Novel Computer-Assisted Method of Bite Mark Analysis for Gender Determination

Abstract

Background Bite mark analysis is an imperative area of forensic odontology and considered the commonest form of dental evidence presented in the criminal court. The process of comparing bite marks with a suspect's dentition includes analysis and measurement of shape, size, and position of an individual's teeth. The present study was aimed to evaluate the bite marks of males and females using a novel indirect computer-assisted method and explicate its application in forensic odontology. Materials and methods 60 subjects (30 males and 30 females) with normal occlusion were included in the present study. Bite registrations were obtained with help of modelling waxes, and positive replicas were prepared with dental stone and barium powder. Intraoral periapical radiographs were taken for the same. The radiographs obtained were scanned and analyzed by measuring tools using Sidexis Next Generation software. Intercanine distance (ICD), line AB, angle ABX, and angle ABY were measured. The Kruskal–Wallis test was performed to compare the bite marks of males and females. Results The mean ICD of males and females was found to be 32.95 mm and 29.84 mm, respectively, and was statistically highly significant with a p value <0.001. The mean ICD, line AB, and angle ABX were found to be higher in males when compared to females. Conclusion Analysis of bite marks using this novel computer-assisted method is a simple, reliable, easily reproducible, and economical technique with confidentiality of the identity of the participants involved.

Use of Bitemarks for Human Identification by Using Inter-Canine Distance and Mesio-Distal Width of Maxillary Incisors.

“…Maji.A et al (2018), chose incisors and canines as a guide for establishing correlation with human bite marks and canine marks were found to be more obvious. Similarly, in the present study, inter-canine distance and mesio-distal width were used for human identication, Wherein, inter-canine distance was found to be more reliable than mesio-distal width (6).…”

“…Bite marks are the marks left by the actions of teeth and surrounding oral parts during biting of objects and people. The physical characteristics of bite marks which contributes to its authenticity include the shape of dental arches, distance between canines, rotation of teeth, missing teeth, curves of biting edges, and the wear patterns (6). This uniqueness is replicated on the bitten food material in sufcient detail to enable a match of the individual under suspicion.…”

Identificação da análise de marcas de mordida em odontologia forense: uma revisão da literatura

“…As inovações tecnológicas como as análises assistidas por computador, têm demonstrado resultados promissores, com um nível de confiabilidade maior do que os métodos tradicionais (Maji et al, 2018). Thali et al (2003) demonstraram a importância dos métodos 3D através da utilização de um scanner de superfície.…”

Dental Radiographic/Digital Radiography Technology along with Biological Agents in Human Identification

“…The open spaces between U shapes may contain hematoma due to soft tissue compression. The most prominent marks are created by maxillary canines with a normal distance of 25–40 mm [ 152 ]. Recent human identification researches of bite marks are summarized in Table 3 .…”