Bitemark analysis in legal medicine - literature review

S. Hostiuc, G. C. Curca, D. Dermengiu, M. Rusu

Abstract: Bitemark analysis is a complex and time consuming task, as each bite produces individual, well defined aspects, different even from one bite to another. In order to analyze a bitemark three main characteristic types are to be used: class characteristics, variations from the standard human bitemark model and individual characteristics. Often the quality of a certain bitemark is very poor so that every single quantifiable aspect is of the uttermost importance. This review tries to provide a few essential tools in managing a bitemark morphological analysis from a medical-legal point of view. Other techniques, such as specialized photograph techniques, impression, DNA analysis, histopathology etc even tough are not detailed here can also provide crucial data in finding out the perpetrator; their exhaustive presentation is not feasible in a single article.
Keywords: bitemarks, variations, class characteristics, distortions, dental characteristics