1. Impressions Tooth Mark Comparisons
Forensic Science
4/28/14

2. Drill What is the top part of the jaw called? The bottom part?
What are two reasons why a bite might be a better form of identification than a fingerprint?
HW: Complete paragraph about bite mark analysis on Bite Mark ID WS.

3. Objectives
IWBAT
Determine what kind of surface is the best for bite-mark impressions.
Identify different tooth marks from known exemplars.

4. Agenda
Drill
Pd. 5 – Bite marks with plates & carbon paper (Some in Pd. 3 and 6)
Bite marks with various candy
Bite mark analysis
Closure

5. Bite Mark Identification
Presentation developed by T. Trimpe

6. Materials Bite Mark worksheet Styrofoam plate Permanent marker
¼ overhead transparency sheet
2 index cards
¼ carbon paper

7. Part 1: Make an Impression
1 – Fold the Styrofoam plate in half.
2 – Label one side MAXILLA and the other MANDIBLE.
3 – Gently bite down on the plate to leave your bite mark impression.
4 – Place a sheet of the plastic film over the impression and use a permanent marker to recreate the pattern to match that of your bite mark.
5 – Use a ruler to make the measurements shown and record in the table below along with any notes regarding unique characteristics you observe in the teeth.
Maxilla
Mandible
Depth
Maxilla
Width
Mandible

8. Card Bite Marks
Label the index cards with your NAME on the side with the lines, on the top RED line.
Fold the index card (white side in) and the carbon paper (black side out) and bite along the line. Bite as far in as you can. Do this again for the second card.
Bite with your front teeth on one side.
Turn in the bitten cards and the piece of carbon paper to Ms. Bloedorn

9. Part 2: Tasty Testing
1 – Use 4 pieces of candy to make bite mark impressions.
2 – Record your observations for each one as well as provide a rating of the impression quality using poor, fair, or good.
Type of Candy
Quality
Observations

10. Bite Mark Analysis Activity 15-5 Dental Impressions Activity 15-5 WS
5 sample teeth handout (do not write on this)
½ overhead sheet
Permanent marker

12. Summary
Write a paragraph to summarize what you have learned about bite mark impressions during this activity and from the notes.