Page 38 - Forensic News Journal Oct Nov 2017
P. 38
Forensic News Journal
Bite Mark Forensic Evidence, pg 38-46
©2014-2017 SYT Global, Inc.
Bite Mark Forensic
Evidence F
O
R
By Sue Micallef E
N
S
Photo Courtesy of google.com I
In struggles between as- proper for defense; includ- to be recognized in scien- C
sailants and victims, there ed arms, legs and anterior tific circles (Vale as cited
is a tendency for teeth teeth’. The first bite mark Dorion, 2004). M
to be used as a weapon. case in the United States E
Sometimes it is the only was the famous Salem Prior to 1950, the number T
defensive tactic for a vic- Witch Trials, in 1692. Rev. of cases where bite marks H
tim to inflict serious injury Burroughs who was con- were used as evidence was O
on the assailant. It is a victed and hanged used small when compared to D
well-known fact, that in to bite his victims. Dur- today. A large proportion O
sexual attacks including ing the trial his bite marks was reported in Europe L
sexual homicide, rape and and of other people were and Japan, but most cases O
child sexual abuse, the compared to the victim’s originated in the USA. In G
assailants will most likely marks. The judges readily 2002, over 400 forensic Y
bite their victims. This can accepted the bite marks odonatologists were listed
be viewed as an expres- as evidence. In 1870, in the American Acad-
sion of dominance, rage A.I Robinson was sus- emy of Forensic Sciences
and animalistic behavior. pected of murdering his (AAFS) (Dorion, 2004).
Not many people have mistress. Five bite marks
the view that teeth can were found on her arm. A major development in
be such violent weapons The bite mark evidence bite mark investigations
(Sweet & Pretty, 2001). did not hold and Robinson in the USA began in 1962
was acquitted. Despite the when courses in forensic
Early recognition of bite negative outcome of the odontology began at the
marks is seen in old Eng- Robinson case, by 1890 Armed Forces Institute
lish Law where ‘member bite mark evidence started of Pathology (AFIP) in
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