ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 17 December 2003
Page Count: 3

Bite Mark or Bottle Top?
Cirillo, GN
University of Adelaide,

James, H
University of Adelaide,

(Received 10 March 2003; accepted 14 August 2003)

Abstract

An alleged assault was reported by a 42-year-old female, with initial medical examination revealing an apparent bite mark on the right buttock. Odontological examination, including visual assessment, full history and photographs showed that the injury did not meet the class characteristics of a human bite. Subsequent digital overlay production showed that the injury pattern was consistent with a corrugated bottle top. This case highlights the need for careful assessment of injuries alleged to be caused by human teeth.

Keywords:
forensic science, forensic odontology, bite mark, differential diagnosis, bottle top, digital overlay

Paper ID: JFS2003154
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2003154
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