forensic odontology quiz

class characteristics in teeth

incisors, canines, molars, gums, roots, cusps

5 questions a forensics odontologist asks

-is this a bite mark? -is it human or animal? -is it adult or child? -is there enough evidence to convict a suspect? -is it self-inflicted?

how many teeth usually show in a bite mark?

12

how many teeth does the average adult have?

28

what is the controversy about bite mark evidence?

63% false identifications

how many comparison factors are used to match teeth impression from a suspect and bite mark data?

76 factors

what can be used to pick up bite marks that are faint/not visible?

UV light that detects saliva

crown

Visible part of the tooth

canines

are sharp and used for piercing

pulp chamber

contains the nerve and blood vessels (inner most layer)

what type of teeth make oval impressions?

cuspids

how is a representative human bite mark injury described?

elliptical or circular injury

what are the 2 different names for cuspids?

first and second molar

molars

flat and used for grinding food

Incisors

flat, used for cutting

pre-molars

have only two cusps

what was unique about Ted Bundy's teeth that made bite mark analysis more reliable?

he had a chipped tooth

what type of marks are made by incisors?

lines

reasonable

matched 100%

adult

molars have four or more cusps

exclusion

not a match

inconclusive

not enough info...or no match

probable

possible match

enamel

protects the dentine and the pulp chamber (most outer layer)

types of impressions

resin dental cast, clear epoxy dental resin cast

what is sometimes present in a bite mark that helps identify a suspect?

saliva for DNA

what is used to make casts of teeth?

silicon, rubber, plastic, powders

why is bite mark analysis not always exact?

skin is elastic and distortable and changes over time

how to collect evidence from the suspect

step 1: collect dental & med records step 2: photograph teeth step 3: note individual facial features (scars, gaps) step 4: collect saliva and note any missing teeth step 5: impressions step 6: sample bite

how to collect evidence of the bite

step 1: swab the site for DNA step 2: take photos/videos step 3: impressions step 4: tissue samples

individual characteristics in teeth

tooth decay, missing tooth, fillings, cavities, gum disease

what things are measured in bite mark analysis?

tooth mark size and distance between teeth