The barriers to achieving an evidence base for bitemark analysis

Pretty, Iain A.

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2006.02.033

Cited by 61 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 53 publications

(82 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…An essential component of the determination of the validity of bitemark analysis is that the techniques used in the physical comparison between suspect dentition and physical injury have been assessed and found valid [24]. One of the fundamental problems with this task is the wide variety of techniques that have been described in the literature [25].…”

Section: Methods Of Bite-marks Analysis Physical Comparisonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There have been some efforts to produce a bite-mark severity and significance scale that would enable odontologists to describe a bite-mark using a validated index, and from this determine the required path of action [47]. The proposed index is in two parts; the first is the text based index and the second is an illustrated guide that can be used by those unfamiliar with bite-marks [24], Figure 2 demonstrate the bite-mark severity and significance scale. The scale is designed to demonstrate and simplify the somewhat complex relationship between bite-mark severity and the likely success of a comparative analysis.…”

Section: Methods Of Bite-marks Analysis Physical Comparisonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Reality Bites â Demystifying Crime

Gill¹,

Singh²

2015

J Forensic Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Forensic dentistry is an essential part of Forensic science, mainly involves the identification of an assailant by comparing a record of their dentition (set of teeth) with a record of a bite mark left on a victim. Human bite-mark traditionally provides the forensic dentist with both physical and biological evidence. Bites have been found in cases of homicide, attempted suicide, sexual assault, and child abuse. Bite marks with high evidentiary value that can be used in comparisons with the suspects' teeth will include marks from specific teeth that accurately record distinct traits. The teeth may also be used as weapon and, under certain circumstances may leave information as to the identity of the biter. Analysis of bite marks is the second major responsibility of the forensic dentist. However, the advent of DNA and its recovery from bite-marks has offered an objective method of bite-mark analysis. Despite the strengths of DNA, the physical comparison of a suspect's dentition to bite-mark injuries is still commonplace. The article provides an update on the current context and status of bite-mark analysis.

show abstract

Section: Methods Of Bite-marks Analysis Physical Comparisonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methods Of Bite-marks Analysis Physical Comparisonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reality Bites â Demystifying Crime

Gill¹,

Singh²

2015

J Forensic Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Furthermore, distortions may modify, complicate, or render impossible the interpretation of a bite mark (Bowers, 2006;Pretty, 2006Pretty, , 2008. The use of bite marks as forensic evidence has an average false-positive error of 64% (Saks and Koehler, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relevance of sampling and DNA extraction techniques for the analysis of salivary evidence from bite marks: a case report

Ml¹,

Hernández-Cortés²,

Jaramillo‐Rangel³

et al. 2015

Genet. Mol. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ABSTRACT. Bite mark evidence has been repeatedly found in criminal cases. Physical comparison of a bite mark to the teeth of available suspects may not always be possible. Experimental studies have shown that the analysis of DNA present in the saliva recovered from bite marks might help in the identification of individuals. However, the application of this approach to an actual criminal case has been reported only once before in forensic literature. Therefore, there is very limited scientific and technical information available on this subject. The current study focuses on a woman found dead in her home; the autopsy ruled the death to be a result of manual strangulation. A bite mark was found on each breast. The single swab technique was used to collect evidence from these bite marks, and an organic extraction method was employed for DNA isolation. Short tandem repeat (STR) sequence typing was performed using a commercially available kit, and the result was compared to the STR profile of a suspect. A full singlesource STR profile was obtained from both bite marks, which matched the STR profile of the suspect. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second report on the analysis of DNA isolated from bite marks on the victim used to identify the crime perpetrator. Our results indicated that, contrary to most theoretical indications, a single swab technique for evidence collection and an organic method for DNA isolation could be very useful in solving this class of criminal cases.

show abstract

“…These contentious issues are [3] -methods of bitemark analysis -uniqueness of human dentition (and related statistics) -human skin as a material to register bitemarks.…”

Section: Introduction: Bitemarks In Forensic Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In such cases it must be admitted that the bitemark analysis is inconclusive, and the conclusion such as court decision (if not acquittal) must be based on other evidence. The requirements on expert performance have been introduced largely due to cases where false convictions based on bitemark analysis have been overturned after DNA analysis [1,3,4]. Below, the available evidence of the performance of bitemark analysis is considered in brief.…”

Section: Introduction: Bitemarks In Forensic Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Dental Forensics: Bitemark Analysis

Auerkari

2013

J Dent Indones

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Forensic odontology (dental forensics) can provide useful evidence in both criminal and civil cases, and therefore remains a part of the wider discipline of forensic science. As an example from the toolbox of forensic odontology, the practice and experience on bitemark analysis is reviewed here in brief. The principle of using visible bitemarks in crime victims or in other objects as evidence is fundamentally based on the observation that the detailed pattern of dental imprints tend to be practically unique for each individual. Therefore, finding such an imprint as a bitemark can bear a strong testimony that it was produced by the individual that has the matching dental pattern. However, the comparison of the observed bitemark and the suspected set of teeth will necessarily require human interpretation, and this is not infallible. Both technical challenges in the bitemarks and human errors in the interpretation are possible. To minimise such errors and to maximise the value of bitemark analysis, dedicated procedures and protocols have been developed, and the personnel taking care of the analysis need to be properly trained. In principle the action within the discipline should be conducted as in evidence-based dentristy, i.e. accepted procedures should have known error rates. Because of the involvement of human interpretation, even personal performance statistics may be required from legal expert statements. The requirements have been introduced largely due to cases where false convictions based on bitemark analysis have been overturned after DNA analysis. Dental Forensics: Bitemark Analysis

show abstract

The barriers to achieving an evidence base for bitemark analysis

Cited by 61 publications

References 53 publications

Reality Bites â Demystifying Crime

Reality Bites â Demystifying Crime

Relevance of sampling and DNA extraction techniques for the analysis of salivary evidence from bite marks: a case report

Dental Forensics: Bitemark Analysis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

The barriers to achieving an evidence base for bitemark analysis

Cited by 61 publications

References 53 publications

Reality Bites â Demystifying Crime

Reality Bites â Demystifying Crime

Relevance of sampling and DNA extraction techniques for the analysis of salivary evidence from bite marks: a case report

Dental Forensics: Bitemark Analysis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Reality Bites â Demystifying Crime

Reality Bites â Demystifying Crime