Human Bite Mark
Bite mark analysis, has been used for more than fifty years to establish a connection between a defendant and a crime [1] Bitemarks occur primarily in sex related crimes, child abuse cases, and offenses involving physical altercations, such as homicide [2] Male victims are most often bitten on the am1s and shoulders, while female victims are most commonly bitten on the breasts, anns, and legs [3] The examination and analysis of bite marks is used in an attempt to scientifically link the dentition of a potential biter with a bite mark. The bite mark may be found on skin or some other material, and crime scenes must be thoroughly searched in order to find bitten objects that may link a biter to a crime scene: a bitten piece of cheese found at the murder scene, along with other evidence, helped secure a conviction of the murderer of three family members after a wedding in the UK in 1983. Bite mark evidence has been used with increasing frequency over the years, possibly due to raised awareness and recognition of such injuries (from a multidisciplinary approach) along with an increase in the number of domestic violence and abuse cases reported, many of which involve biting injuries. Bite mark analysis methods have evolved over the years to give more reliable and reproducible results. However, the behaviour of skin and the underlying tissue during the dynamic biting process is still not clearly understood and caution with the interpretation of (and conclusions drawn from) these injuries is essential if this evidence is to be useful and acceptable to the courts. A few controversial cases involving biting injuries have emphasized the need for standardised protocols, appropriate training and carefully considered opinions and conclusions [4]