Forensic OdontologyBite Marks
Forensic OdontologyBite Marks
David R. Senn, DDS, DABFO
The National AcademiesThe National AcademiesCommittee on
Identifying the Needs of the Committee on Identifying the Needs of
the
Forensic Science CommunityForensic Science Community
National Academy of ScienceLecture Hall
Washington, DC
April 23, 2007
National Academy of ScienceLecture Hall
Washington, DC
April 23, 2007
Questions from the CommitteeQuestions from the Committee
1. What is the state of the art?2. Where is research
conducted?3. Where is it published?4. What is the scientific basis
that informs the
interpretation of the evidence?5. What are the major problems in
the scientific
foundation, methods, and practice?6. What research questions do
you think need to
be answered?
1.1. What is the state of the art?What is the state of the
art?2.2. Where is research conducted?Where is research
conducted?3.3. Where is it published?Where is it published?4.4.
What is the scientific basis that informs the What is the
scientific basis that informs the
interpretation of the evidence?interpretation of the
evidence?5.5. What are the major problems in the scientific What
are the major problems in the scientific
foundation, methods, and practice?foundation, methods, and
practice?6.6. What research questions do you think need to What
research questions do you think need to
be answered? be answered?
What is the state of the art?What is the state of the art?
What is the state of the art?What is the state of the art?
Definition: Bite mark analysis is the investigation of marks
made by teeth on human skin or other objects. The analysis is
accomplished by combining the science and art of dentistry and a
forensic discipline that encompasses aspects of anatomy, pathology,
oral medicine, physiology, histology, chemistry, and physics
(especially mechanics) and tooth mark pattern analysis.
Definition: Bite mark analysis is the Definition: Bite mark
analysis is the investigation of marks made by teeth on
investigation of marks made by teeth on human skin or other
objects. The analysis is human skin or other objects. The analysis
is accomplished by combining the science and art accomplished by
combining the science and art of dentistry and a forensic
discipline that of dentistry and a forensic discipline that
encompasses aspects of anatomy, pathology, encompasses aspects of
anatomy, pathology, oral medicine, physiology, histology, oral
medicine, physiology, histology, chemistry, and physics (especially
mechanics) chemistry, and physics (especially mechanics) and tooth
mark pattern analysis. and tooth mark pattern analysis.
What is the state of the art?What is the state of the art?
Forensic Odontologists understand the anatomy and function of
teeth and the dynamic mechanics of biting.
A competent, skilled Odontologist can produce biter profiles
from bite patterns that exhibit sufficient information to have
evidentiary value.
Forensic Odontologists understand the Forensic Odontologists
understand the anatomy and function of teeth and the anatomy and
function of teeth and the dynamic mechanics of biting. dynamic
mechanics of biting.
A competent, skilled Odontologist can A competent, skilled
Odontologist can produce biter profiles from bite patterns produce
biter profiles from bite patterns that exhibit sufficient
information to have that exhibit sufficient information to have
evidentiary value.evidentiary value.
What is the state of the art?What is the state of the art?
Competent Forensic Odontolgists will conform to the American
Board of Forensic Odontology Bitemark Methodology Guidelines
for:
Bitemark Evidence Collection Bitemark Evidence Comparison
Bitemark Forensic Report Writing Ethics
Competent Forensic Competent Forensic OdontolgistsOdontolgists
will will conform to the American Board of conform to the American
Board of Forensic Odontology Bitemark Forensic Odontology Bitemark
Methodology Guidelines for:Methodology Guidelines for:
Bitemark Evidence CollectionBitemark Evidence Collection
Bitemark Evidence Comparison Bitemark Evidence Comparison Bitemark
Forensic Report WritingBitemark Forensic Report Writing
EthicsEthics
State of the ArtState of the ArtThe State of the Art is Defined
by Forensic Odontologists who:
Are capable of using all known evidence collection and
comparison modalities
Select those modalities appropriate for the case in question
And..
The State of the Art is Defined by Forensic The State of the Art
is Defined by Forensic Odontologists who: Odontologists who:
Are capable of using all known Are capable of using all known
evidence collection and comparison evidence collection and
comparison modalitiesmodalities
Select those modalities appropriate for Select those modalities
appropriate for the case in questionthe case in question
And..And..
State of the ArtState of the Art
Employ blinding techniques to inhibit bias (observer
effects)
Evidence collection Evidence analysis Dental lineups
Seek 2nd opinions from independent, blinded, competent forensic
odontologists.
And
Employ blinding techniques to inhibit bias Employ blinding
techniques to inhibit bias (observer effects)(observer effects)
Evidence collectionEvidence collection Evidence analysisEvidence
analysis Dental lineupsDental lineups
Seek 2Seek 2ndnd opinions from independent, opinions from
independent, blinded, competent forensic odontologists.blinded,
competent forensic odontologists.
AndAnd
State of the ArtState of the Art
Engage in continuing study and research to improve themselves
and Forensic Odontology
Recognize and abide by the Code of Ethics and Conduct
Engage in continuing study and Engage in continuing study and
research to improve themselves and research to improve themselves
and Forensic OdontologyForensic Odontology
Recognize and abide by the Code of Recognize and abide by the
Code of Ethics and ConductEthics and Conduct
State of the ArtState of the Art
Understand the scientific method
Use the scientific method in tests and procedures to the
greatest extent possible
Understand the scientific method Understand the scientific
method
Use the scientific method in tests and Use the scientific method
in tests and procedures to the greatest extent procedures to the
greatest extent possiblepossible
Where is research conducted?
Where is research conducted?
Where is research conducted?Where is research
conducted?Odontology Research Consortium
Associates
www.orca-forensic.org
Odontology Research Consortium Odontology Research Consortium
AssociatesAssociates
www.orcawww.orca--forensic.orgforensic.org
http://www.orca-forensic.org
ORCA Mission StatementORCA Mission Statement
It is our goal to stimulate mutual research co-operation and to
enhance the scientific credibility of the discipline by encouraging
and supporting scientific rigor in forensic odontology
research.
It is our goal to stimulate mutual It is our goal to stimulate
mutual research coresearch co--operation and to enhance operation
and to enhance the scientific credibility of the the scientific
credibility of the discipline by encouraging and discipline by
encouraging and supporting scientific rigor in forensic supporting
scientific rigor in forensic odontology research.odontology
research.
Where is research conducted?Where is research conducted?
Forensic Odontology research is conducted by individual
Odontologists and by Odontologists at Institutions and Universities
Worldwide
Go to www.orca-forensic.org for complete listing of ORCA
associates
Forensic Odontology research Forensic Odontology research is
conducted by individual is conducted by individual Odontologists
and by Odontologists Odontologists and by Odontologists at
Institutions and Universities at Institutions and Universities
WorldwideWorldwide
Go to Go to www.orcawww.orca--forensic.orgforensic.org for for
complete listing of ORCA associatescomplete listing of ORCA
associates
http://www.orca-forensic.org
Where is research conducted?Where is research conducted?
Institutions and UniversitiesUniversity of Alabama, School
of
Dentistry, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Institutions and UniversitiesInstitutions and
UniversitiesUniversity of Alabama, School of University of Alabama,
School of
Dentistry, Birmingham, Alabama, Dentistry, Birmingham, Alabama,
USAUSA
University of British Columbia, University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, BC, CanadaVancouver, BC, Canada
15 Institutions Worldwide15 Institutions Worldwide
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York,
Buffalo, NY, USA
Catholic University at Leuven, School of Dentistry, Leuven,
Belgium
University at Buffalo, The State University at Buffalo, The
State University of New York, Buffalo, University of New York,
Buffalo, NY, USANY, USA
Catholic University at Leuven, Catholic University at Leuven,
School of Dentistry, Leuven, School of Dentistry, Leuven,
BelgiumBelgium
15 Institutions Worldwide15 Institutions Worldwide
Columbia University School of Dental Medicine, New York, NY,
USA
Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, New Orleans, LA,
USA
Columbia University School of Columbia University School of
Dental Medicine, New York, NY, Dental Medicine, New York, NY,
USAUSA
Louisiana State University School of Louisiana State University
School of Dentistry, New Orleans, LA, USADentistry, New Orleans,
LA, USA
15 Institutions Worldwide15 Institutions Worldwide
University of Manchester, Dental School, Manchester, England,
UK
Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA
University of Manchester, Dental University of Manchester,
Dental School, Manchester, England, UKSchool, Manchester, England,
UK
Marquette University, Milwaukee, Marquette University,
Milwaukee, WI, USAWI, USA
15 Institutions Worldwide15 Institutions Worldwide
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
University of Melbourne, School of Dental Science, Melbourne,
Australia
McGill University, Montreal, McGill University, Montreal,
Quebec, CanadaQuebec, Canada
University of Melbourne, School of University of Melbourne,
School of Dental Science, Melbourne, Dental Science, Melbourne,
AustraliaAustralia
15 Institutions Worldwide15 Institutions Worldwide
University of Nevada Las Vegas, School of Dental Medicine, Las
Vegas, NV, USA
University of Oslo, Faculty of Dentistry, Oslo, Norway
University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of Nevada Las Vegas,
School of Dental Medicine, Las School of Dental Medicine, Las
Vegas, NV, USAVegas, NV, USA
University of Oslo, Faculty of University of Oslo, Faculty of
Dentistry, Oslo, NorwayDentistry, Oslo, Norway
15 Institutions Worldwide15 Institutions Worldwide
National Board of Forensic Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, USA
National Board of Forensic National Board of Forensic Medicine,
Stockholm, SwedenMedicine, Stockholm, Sweden
University of Texas Dental Branch University of Texas Dental
Branch at Houston, USAat Houston, USA
15 Institutions Worldwide15 Institutions Worldwide
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Dental
School USA
University of Texas Health Science University of Texas Health
Science Center at San Antonio, Dental School Center at San Antonio,
Dental School USAUSA
Where is it published?Where is it published?
The Journal of Forensic Sciences Forensic Science International
American Journal of Forensic
Medicine and Pathology(list attached)
The Journal of Forensic SciencesThe Journal of Forensic Sciences
Forensic Science InternationalForensic Science International
American Journal of Forensic American Journal of Forensic
Medicine and PathologyMedicine and Pathology(list attached)(list
attached)
What is the scientific basis that informs the interpretation of
the
evidence?
What is the scientific basis that informs the interpretation of
the
evidence?
What is the scientific basis that informs the interpretation of
the evidence?
What is the scientific basis that informs the interpretation of
the evidence?
Although forensic odontologists have significantly improved the
scientific basis for collecting and analyzingevidence (digital
analysis, improved exemplars, light microscopy, SEM, improved
metric analysis, etc)
Although forensic odontologists have Although forensic
odontologists have significantly improved the scientific
significantly improved the scientific basis for basis for
collecting and analyzingcollecting and analyzingevidence (digital
analysis, improved evidence (digital analysis, improved exemplars,
light microscopy, SEM, exemplars, light microscopy, SEM, improved
metric analysis, etc)improved metric analysis, etc)
What is the scientific basis that informs the interpretation of
the evidence?
What is the scientific basis that informs the interpretation of
the evidence?
there has been no significant improvement in the scientific
basis for interpreting the evidence to reach a truly objective
conclusion.
there has been no significant there has been no significant
improvement in the scientific basis improvement in the scientific
basis for for interpretinginterpreting the evidence to reach the
evidence to reach a truly objective conclusion.a truly objective
conclusion.
What is the scientific basis that informs the interpretation of
the evidence?
What is the scientific basis that informs the interpretation of
the evidence?
Forensic Odontology, like other forensic identification
modalities, relies on the education, ability, and experience of the
practitioners
Interpretation of bite mark evidence must be tempered with a
recognition of the limitations of the discipline.
Forensic Odontology, like other forensic Forensic Odontology,
like other forensic identification modalities, relies on the
identification modalities, relies on the education, ability, and
experience of the education, ability, and experience of the
practitionerspractitioners
Interpretation of bite mark evidence must Interpretation of bite
mark evidence must be tempered with a recognition of the be
tempered with a recognition of the limitations of the
discipline.limitations of the discipline.
What is the scientific basis that informs the interpretation of
the evidence?
What is the scientific basis that informs the interpretation of
the evidence?
Forensic Odontology provides important information that can
assist judges and juries to understand situations involving bite
marks.
But
Forensic Odontology provides important Forensic Odontology
provides important information that can assist judges and
information that can assist judges and juries to understand
situations involving juries to understand situations involving bite
marks.bite marks.
ButBut
What are the major problems in the scientific foundation,
methods,
and practice?
What are the major problems in the scientific foundation,
methods,
and practice?
Major problemsMajor problems
The uniqueness of the human dentition has not been
scientifically established.
The uniqueness of the human The uniqueness of the human
dentition has not been scientifically dentition has not been
scientifically established.established.
Major problemsMajor problems
The ability of the dentition, if unique, to transfer a unique
pattern to human skin and maintain that uniqueness has not been
scientifically established.
The ability of the dentition, The ability of the dentition, if
if uniqueunique, to transfer a unique pattern , to transfer a
unique pattern to human skin and maintain that to human skin and
maintain that uniqueness has not been uniqueness has not been
scientifically established.scientifically established.
Major problemsMajor problems
A clear statement of the type, quality, and number of class and
individual characteristics or other features required to indicate
that a bite mark has reached a threshold of evidentiary value has
not been established.
A clear statement of the type, A clear statement of the type,
quality, and number of class and quality, and number of class and
individual characteristics or other individual characteristics or
other features required to indicate that a features required to
indicate that a bite mark has reached a threshold of bite mark has
reached a threshold of evidentiary valueevidentiary value has not
been has not been established.established.
Major problemsMajor problems
Forensic Odontology certifying organizations have not created or
administered bite mark analysis proficiency tests for their board
certified members.
Forensic Odontology certifying Forensic Odontology certifying
organizations have not created or organizations have not created or
administered bite mark analysis administered bite mark analysis
proficiency tests for their board proficiency tests for their board
certified members.certified members.
Major problemsMajor problems
The ability to analyze and interpret the scope or extent of
distortion of bite mark patterns on human skin has not been
demonstrated.
The ability to analyze and interpret The ability to analyze and
interpret the scope or extent of distortion of the scope or extent
of distortion of bite mark patterns on human skin bite mark
patterns on human skin has not been demonstrated.has not been
demonstrated.
Major problemsMajor problems
The effect of that distortion on comparison modalities is not
fully understood and has not been quantified
The effect of that distortion on The effect of that distortion
on comparison modalities is not fully comparison modalities is not
fully understood and has not been understood and has not been
quantified quantified
What research questions do you think need to be
answered?
What research questions do you think need to be
answered?
Research QuestionsResearch Questions
Is the dentition of each human unique?
Do teeth transfer their distinctive characteristics to human
skin and maintain and express the uniqueness?
Is the dentition of each human Is the dentition of each human
unique?unique?
Do teeth transfer their distinctive Do teeth transfer their
distinctive characteristics to human skin and characteristics to
human skin and maintain and express the maintain and express the
uniqueness?uniqueness?
Research QuestionsResearch Questions
Are the currently recommended analysis and comparison methods
sufficient?
Are the currently recommended Are the currently recommended
analysis and comparison methods analysis and comparison methods
sufficient?sufficient?
Research QuestionsResearch Questions
What new analysis methods are most likely to lead to significant
improvement in the comparison procedures?
What new analysis methods are What new analysis methods are most
likely to lead to significant most likely to lead to significant
improvement in the comparison improvement in the comparison
procedures?procedures?
Research QuestionsResearch Questions
What are the features of a bite mark that distinguish one with
evidentiary value from one without?
Can those features be listed and quantified?
What are the features of a bite mark What are the features of a
bite mark that distinguish one with evidentiary that distinguish
one with evidentiary value from one without?value from one
without?
Can those features be listed and Can those features be listed
and quantified?quantified?
Research QuestionsResearch Questions
Can new and potentially better methods of comparing bite
patterns and the teeth that may have created them be developed?
Can new and potentially better Can new and potentially better
methods of comparing bite patterns methods of comparing bite
patterns and the teeth that may have created and the teeth that may
have created them be developed? them be developed?
Research QuestionsResearch Questions
What are the most promising of these potential new methods?
What are the most promising of What are the most promising of
these potential new methods?these potential new methods?
Big Research QuestionBig Research Question
What are the potential sources for funding for this
research?
What are the potential sources What are the potential sources
for funding for this research?for funding for this research?
ConclusionsConclusions
Bite Mark Analysis is too important and valuable to the
investigation and adjudication of certain crimes to be discounted
or overlooked.
The use of bite mark analysis to exclude suspects is powerful
and important.
Bite Mark Analysis is too important and Bite Mark Analysis is
too important and valuable to the investigation and adjudication
valuable to the investigation and adjudication of certain crimes to
be discounted or of certain crimes to be discounted or
overlooked.overlooked.
The use of bite mark analysis to exclude The use of bite mark
analysis to exclude suspects is powerful and important. suspects is
powerful and important.
ConclusionsConclusions
The scientific basis for associating unknown biters to tooth
marks or bite marks must be established.
Currently, the association of one individual in an open
population to a bite pattern on human skin to a reasonable dental,
medical, or scientific certainty based on pattern analysis alone
cannot be scientifically supported.
The scientific basis for associating unknown The scientific
basis for associating unknown biters to tooth marks or bite marks
must be biters to tooth marks or bite marks must be
established.established.
Currently, the association of one individual Currently, the
association of one individual in in an open populationan open
population to a bite pattern on human to a bite pattern on human
skin to a reasonable dental, medical, or skin to a reasonable
dental, medical, or scientific certainty based on pattern analysis
scientific certainty based on pattern analysis alone cannot be
scientifically supported.alone cannot be scientifically
supported.
ConclusionsConclusions
In closed or limited population cases it may be possible to
associate a biter and the bite mark(s) with reasonable dental,
medical, or scientific certainty for that limited population.
Forensic Odontology certifying bodies should properly test and
periodically re-test their certified members for proficiency in
bite mark analysis
In closed or limited population cases it In closed or limited
population cases it maymay be be possible to associate a biter and
the bite possible to associate a biter and the bite mark(smark(s)
with reasonable dental, medical, or ) with reasonable dental,
medical, or scientific certainty scientific certainty for that
limited populationfor that limited population..
Forensic Odontology certifying bodies should Forensic Odontology
certifying bodies should properly test and periodically reproperly
test and periodically re--test their test their certified members
for proficiency in bite mark certified members for proficiency in
bite mark analysisanalysis
Thank YouThank You
David R. Senn, D.D.S.Vice President-American Board of Forensic
OdontologyDirector-Center for Education and Research in
ForensicsUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San
[email protected]
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the positions or viewpoints of the University
of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio or the American Board
of Forensic Odontology
David R. Senn, D.D.S.David R. Senn, D.D.S.Vice PresidentVice
President--American Board of Forensic OdontologyAmerican Board of
Forensic OdontologyDirectorDirector--Center for Education and
Research in ForensicsCenter for Education and Research in
ForensicsUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San
AntonioUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San
[email protected]
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do
notThe opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not
necessarily necessarily represent the positions or viewpoints of
the University of Texasrepresent the positions or viewpoints of the
University of Texas Health Science Center Health Science Center at
San Antonio or the American Board of Forensic Odontologyat San
Antonio or the American Board of Forensic Odontology
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]
