BAFO - The British Association for Forensic Odontology

Bite Marks Precis (1980s)

Glass RT, Andrews EE, Jones K, (1980)

Bitemark evidence: a case report using accepted and new techniques.
3d. J Forens Sci; 25(3):638-45
Case report with bitemarks found on a murder victim. Authors describe the use of novel techniques including microbiologic and histologic/histochemical. Preparation and presentation of evidence are discussed.

Holt JK., (1980)

Identification from bitemarks.
J Forensic Sci Soc; 20(4):243-6
A collection of case reports describing different methods of augmenting bite photographs and production of 3D models of bite injuries.

Furness J., (1981)

A general review of bitemark evidence.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol; 2(1):49-52
A personal recollection of a forensic dentist, describes case work and issues around bitemarks in English law. No papers cited.

Sperber ND, Lubin H., (1981)

Bite mark evidence in crimes against persons.
J Am Col Health Association.; 29(4):165-7
Paper describes bites for college and university health workers and security personnel. Techniques for photographing the injuries are presented.

Jakobsen JR, Keiser-Nielsen S., (1981)

Bitemark lesions in human skin.
Forensic Sci Int; 18(1):41-55
Case of severe bitemarks on the back of a male victim. The authors used a volunteer to repeat the bite injuries for comparison. Ethical issues surround the use of human volunteers in bitemark studies.

Dorion RB., (1982)

Bite mark evidence.
J Can Dent Assoc; 48(12):795-8
General review.

Webster G., (1982)

A suggested classification of bitemarks in foodstuffs in forensic dental analysis.
Forensic Sci Int; 20(1):45-52
Author states that it is the labial surfaces rather than the biting edges that are responsible for bitemarks in food. Webster suggests an alternate terminology to bring uniformity in describing such evidence. Bitemarks in food are rare in criminal cases, although recently cheese has yielded DNA from a bite.

Sognnaes RF, Rawson RD, Gratt BM, Nguyen NB., (1982)

Computer comparison of bitemark patterns in identical twins.
JADA; 105(3):449-51
Using computer technology and radiographic bitemark analysis the authors conclude that occlusal arch form and individual tooth positions, even in identical twins are in fact unique. This paper is frequently cited as evidence of dental "uniqueness". Highly cited paper, frequently used as part of the dental uniqueness argument.

Rudland M., (1982)

The dimensional stability of bitemarks in apples after long-term storage in a fixative.
Med Sci Law; 22(1):47-50
Paper describes the method for preserving a variety of apple types. Used a pre-defined mark which was examined over a period of ten years, with little distortion noted.

Irons F, Steuterman MC, Brinkhous W., (1983)

Two bitemarks on assailant. Primary link to homicide conviction.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol; 4(2):177-80
Two bitemarks were found on a suspect in a homicide. The authors state that the injuries matched the victims' teeth and the suspect pled guilty to the offence.

McCullough DC., (1983)

Rapid comparison of bitemarks by xerography.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol; 4(4):355-8
Case report of bite in cheese, the detective used a photocopier to record the evidence.

Ligthelm AJ, de Wet FA., (1983)

Registration of bitemarks: a preliminary report.
J Forens Odontstomatol; 1(1):19-26
Used bites on sheep to investigate methods of recording bitemarks. Utilized SEM to compare back to the human volunteers who bit the sheep.

Deming JE, Mittleman RE, Wetli CV, (1983)

Forensic science aspects of fatal sexual assaults on women.
J Forens Sci; 28(3): 572-6
The authors review the case files of 41 female victims of proven fatal sexual assault. Describe bitemarks as not infrequent in such crimes.

Vale GL, Noguchi TT., (1983)

Anatomical distribution of human bitemarks in a series of 77 cases.
J Forens Sci; 28(1):61-9
Paper which examined the author's own cases to establish common bite locations. Seminal paper, establishes the nature of bites and likely crimes.

Rawson RD, Brooks S., (1984)

Classification of human breast morphology important to bitemark investigation.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol; 5(1):19-24
Describes the range of breast morphologies found and their likely impact on bitemark analysis.

Walter RD., (1984)

An examination of the psychological aspects of bitemarks.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol; 5(1):25-9
Paper attempts to examine some of the psychological threads which appear to be operative for the perpetrator of bite marks. Serious discussion, often cited but very poorly understood. Note that this is RD Walter, not RA.

Corbett ME, Spence D., (1984)

A forensic investigation of teeth marks in soap.
Br Dent J; 157(8):270-1
A bite mark in soap was used as evidence in the prosecution of a homicide of a 2 year old girl.

Elliot TR. Rogers AH. Haverkamp JR. Groothuis D., (1984)

Analytical pyrolysis of Streptococcus salivarius as an aid to identification in bitemark investigation
Forens Sci Int; 26(2):131-7
Authors describe "finger-printing" strains of Streptococcus salivarius. The results of the analysis of isolates from two individuals are presented, illustrating the differentiation of S. salivarius at strain level according to the origin of the isolate.

Brown KA. Elliot TR. Rogers AH. Thonard JC., (1984)

The survival of oral streptococci on human skin and its implication in bitemark investigation.
Forensic Sci Int; 26(3):193-7
Authors describe their experiments for recovering bacteria from saliva. Found that after 6..25 hours on skin viable bacteria could still be removed.

Dorion RB., (1984)

Preservation and fixation of skin for ulterior scientific evaluation and courtroom presentation.
J Can Dent Assoc; 50(2):129-30
Describes a method for removing and preserving human skin exhibiting bite injuries. Author uses acrylic which is placed on the skin, cyanoacrylate glue used to stick the acrylic ring to the skin and the tissue excised. Three year preservation achieved little or no post fixation shrinkage. No discussion of how the lack of shrinkage was assessed. Numerous photographs illustrate the procedure well.

Krauss TC, (1984)

Photographic techniques of concern in metric bite mark analysis.
J Forens Sci; 29(2):633-8
Author advises the use of a rigid ruler for scale, proper camera positioning in relation to the scale, and a method to evaluate the distortion in a two-dimensional print that records a three-dimensional object is suggested. Disregarding these factors makes metric bite mark analysis inappropriate.

Rawson RD., (1984)

Statistical evidence for the individuality of the human dentition.
J Forens Sci; 29(1):245-53
A general population sample of bite marks in wax was used to determine how unique bites are. Authors conclude that the analysis confirm the unique nature of human bites. Seminal paper.

Rawson RD., (1984)

Incidence of bitemarks in a selected juvenile population: a preliminary report.
J Forens Sci; 29(1):254-9
A study of the frequency of bite marks among sheltered children. Found an incidence of 1 545 bite marks per 100 000 population. Analysis of the age, sex, and location of bite marks is presented.

Karazulas CP., (1984)

Presentation of bitemark evidence resulting in the acquittal of a man after serving seven years in prison for murder
J Forens Sci; 29(1):355-358
Author describes case in which he appeared for the defence with another odontologist testifying for the prosecution. 3 months of bitemark analysis.

Rao VJ, Souviron RR., (1984)

Dusting and lifting the bite print: a new technique.
J Forensic Sci; 19(1):326-30
Utilising the powder and brush method employed in lifting fingerprints, one of the authors was able to lift tooth prints on the body surface of both living and dead victims. Possibly a useful technique but never revisited.

Krauss TC, Warlen SC., (1985)

The forensic science use of reflective ultraviolet photography.
J Forens Sci; 30(1):262-8
The procedure for reflective ultraviolet photography in bite mark cases is presented. Technique is described as simple and inexpensive. 3 8

Havel DA, (1985)

The role of photography in the presentation of bitemark evidence.
Journal of Biological Photography. 53(2):59-62
Paper explains the various photographic techniques that can be used with bitemark evidence.

Walter RD., (1985)

Anger biting - the hidden impulse.
Am J Forensic Med Pathol; 6(3):219-21
Examines principle of anger related biting, describes memory loss of biting incidents and offers a framework to resolving anger biting by decompressing the emotional content. Needs a serious assessment.

Leung AK., (1985)

Pseudo-abusive human bitemarks in a Chinese infant.
Injury; 16(7):503-4
Unable to locate this article. Can anyone help?

Drinnan AJ, Melton MJ., (1985)

Court presentation of bitemark evidence.
Int Dent J; 35(4):316-21
Instructs readers on court presentation techniques and gives details on how to avoid common pitfalls. Opens with the acceptance that an individual's bite is unique. Quote twin study as support for this and supported by Rawson et al. Discusses the polarisation of expert opinions. Describes Frye.

Bernstein ML., (1985)

Two bitemark cases with inadequate scale references.
J Forens Sci; 30(3):958-64
Both cases illustrate that a technical infraction in processing and recording bite marks, though serious, need not automatically disqualify the analysis.

Sperber N., (1986)

Identification of children and adults through federal and state dental identification systems: recognition of human bitemarks.
Forensic Sci Int; 30(2-3):187-93
Mainly a discussion of human dental identification - the paper contains a small section on human bitemarks to complete the forensic dental review.

David TJ., (1986)

Adjunctive use of scanning electron microscopy in bitemark analysis: a 3D study.
J Forens Sci; 31(3):1126-34
An examination of a case in which adjunctive use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated the presence of unusual three-dimensional characteristics in a bite mark. Commonly described yet uncommonly used in case work.

Rawson RD, Vale GL., (1986)

Analysis of photographic distortion in bitemarks: a report of the bitemark guidelines committee.
J Forens Sci; 31(4):1261-8
States that some degree of distortion is found in all bitemarks. A method of analysing the distortion is presented. Recommend a 90o angle for bitemark photography.

Rawson RD, Vale GL, Sperber ND, Herschaft EE, Yfantis A., (1986)

Reliability of the Scoring System of the American Board of Forensic Odontology for Human Bite Marks.
J Forens Sci; 31(4):1235-60
The various methods of determining the validity of the scoring guide are presented with statistical data generated from scores reported by recognised forensic science experts. States that this paper represents the first truly scientific approach to bitemark analysis. Emphasise the need for peer review. The paper was ultimately disregarded as overly complex and the system never gained credibility with forensic dentists.

ABFO Inc., (1986)

Guidelines for bitemark analysis.
JADA; 112:383-6
This paper, written by the members of the Bite Mark Committee, presents guidelines for the proper investigation of bite injuries. The article cites Hale's 78 paper as an instigator in the process of establishing protocols. These guidelines include a discussion of the controversial bitemark scoring system. Despite being described as "dynamic" these guidelines have not been updated.

Warnick AJ, Biedrzycki L, Russanow G., (1987)

Not all bite marks are associated with abuse, sexual activities, or homicides: a case study of a self-inflicted bitemark.
J Forensic Sci; 32(3):788-92
A case of self-inflicted bite mark during an episode of myocardial ischemia is presented. Paper alerts odontologists to the non-criminal bite.

Ligthelm AJ, Coetzee WJ, van Niekerk PJ., (1987)

The identification of bite marks using the reflex microscope.
J Forensic Odont; 5(1):1-8
Used bitemarks in cheese, apples and chewing gum. The use of the reflex microscope is described. Not used in case work.

Dorion RB., (1987)

Transillumination in bite mark evidence.
J Forens Sci; 32(3):690-7
Author describes the value of using transillumination in the examination of bitemarks. Author describes the technique's use when bites are poorly defined, barely visible, or obscured by other superimposed bite marks or traumatic injury patterns. Controversy surrounds the removal of tissue from victims of crime. Does the increase in evidentiary value justify this mutilation?

Zarkowski P., (1988)

Bite mark evidence: its worth in the eyes of the expert.
J Law & Ethi Dent; 1(1):47-57
Excellent review of the legal status of bitemarks. States "[BMs] evolved from a weak beginning... never progressed through a testing phase to measure accuracy and reliability" Recommends cautious use.

Hyzer WG, Krauss TC., (1988)

The Bite Mark Standard Reference Scale--ABFO No. 2.
J Forensic Sci; 33(2):498-506
The ABFO scale is now universally adopted by not only forensic dentists but also many other forensic professionals. This paper describes the design and constructional features of the scale and offers guidelines for its effective application to bite mark photography. Paper describes an important tool in BM investigations.

Vale GL, Rawson RD., (1988)

Discussion of "Reliability of the scoring system of the ABFO for human bitemarks"
J Forensic Sci; 33(1):20
A "back-track" from the scoring system, advising caution when using the index and recommending more research. Brought to an end the point system - no further work was carried out.

Gundelach A., (1989)

Lawyers' reasoning and scientific proof: a cautionary tale in forensic odontology.
J Forensic Odont;7(2):11-6
Describes a legal case and states that a cautious approach to bitemark evidence should be taken. Yet another paper which advises caution when using bitemark evidence. Little attention paid to such articles.