The Most Famous Bite

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The Most Famous Bite

Bite-mark analysis is the process used by experts, of examining either a whole or partial set of teeth to link someone to a crime. It has been used fairly often in criminal cases, and is used in the very famous case of Ted Bundy.
The procedure is fairly simple. They first determine whether the bite is human or animal, and then they record every detail they can about the bite. For instance the size, appearance, color, as well as the presence of other bites. Photographs involve using two rulers, one laid against the length of the bite and one against the width of the bite. If for some reason a ruler is not available, they can use something like a coin or a matchbox for size comparison.
If the bite-marks show a good indentation rather than being smooth, an impression can be made. This is done right away before the skin changes and a special frame is made to support it. The area around the bite-mark is wiped with sterile swabs of cotton moistened by distilled water to get any saliva left behind. Then the cotton is air dried and placed in a sterile tube, and then a control sample is taken from the victims’ skin on another part of the body.
Once a suspect is taken into custody a dental impression or mold is made of the upper and lower set of teeth. From this mold, the odontologist creates a transparency or uses computer imaging, to show the maximum opening of the mouth and the way the suspect bites. The odontologist also examines the bone structure of the jaw, along with biting dynamics of the muscles and tongue. Sample bites are taken and master casts made. Saliva is also taken for DNA testing.
Properly scaled photographs are important to the legal process, as is the type of equipment used. Guidelines for in court testimony are set forth by the American Board of Forensic Odontology, in terms of how an expert should offer an analysis of the bite –marks. This procedure of testifying and gathering the evidence...