1. Chapter 8 – Forensic Odontology
FRSC 7104
Criminalistics I
Professor Bensley

2. FRSC 7104 – Chapter 8 Objectives
After studying this chapter, the student should be able to:
 Recognize the basic anatomy of the human dentition and understand the process of tooth development
 Understand the determinations that are incorporated in the analysis of teeth and bitemark evidence

3. FRSC 7104 – Chapter 8 Outline Introduction (Human Identification)
Bitemark Impressions
History of Forensic Odontology
Class vs. Individual Characteristics

4. FRSC 7104 – Chapter 8 Outline

5. Teeth Through the Years
Childhood
Adulthood
Primary teeth sprout from milk buds and are temporary. Once they fall out, permanent teeth as seen on the other side appear.
Permanent adult teeth come in when primary teeth fall out; they are permanent because they establish roots inside the gums. Third molar come in around the mid teenage years.

6. FRSC 7104 – Chapter 8 Outline

8. FRSC 7104 – Chapter 8 Outline Various Surfaces Human skin Dragmarks
Bitemark vs. Time of Death
Offensive vs. Defensive
Passage of time since Bitemark
DNA

9. State of Florida v. Ted Bundy
Ted Bundy, was an American serial killer who murdered numerous young women between 1974 and 1978.
He confessed to 30 murders, however the total amount of victims remains unknown. He would bludgeon his victims, then strangle them to death. He engaged in rape and necrophilia.
Evidence, various pictures from trial

10. FRSC 7104 – Chapter 8 Outline
Analytical Techniques in Forensic Odontology
Description
Types of injuries
Hemmorhage
Contusion
Abrasion
Laceration
Avulsion
Artifact
1) Low forensic significance
Very mild bruising, no individual tooth marks present, diffuse arches visible, may be caused by something other than teeth
Obvious bruising with individual, discrete areas associated with teeth, skin remains intact
Very obvious bruising with
Numerous areas of laceration, with some bruising, some areas of the wound may be incised. Unlikely to be confused with any other injury mechanism and a small lacerations associated with teeth on the most severe aspects of the injury, likely to be assessed as definite bite mark
Partial avulsion of tissue, some lacerations present indicating teeth as the probable cause of the injury
Complete avulsion of tissue, possibly some scalloping of the injury margins suggested that teeth may have been responsible for the injury. May not be an obvious bite injury
2) Moderate forensic significance
3) High forensic significance
4) High forensic significance
5) Moderate forensic significance
6) Low forensic significance

11. FRSC 7104 – Chapter 8 Outline Evidence Collection from Victim
Evidence Collection from Suspect
Comparisons

12. FRSC 7104 – Chapter 22 Outline

13. Interesting Teeth Patterns

14. FRSC 7104 – Chapter 8 Outline Results Chapter Summary:
Dental identification can be conducted through comparison of dental remains to either antemortem or postmortem records
Forensic anthropology plays a central role in the identification of people who are not identifiable by fingerprints or photographs
Bitemark evidence is a form of impression evidence that can play an important role in the outcome of a case