Cara Bergamo

Undergraduate Status

Senior Thesis Title

An Evaluation of a Mathematical Approach to Bitemark Analysis: Do Teeth Really Tell It All?

Thesis sub-field

Physical Anthropology

Senior thesis abstract

Bitemark analysis is one aspect of forensic science that has been contested since its appearance in the late nineteenth century. Its use is based on two main assumptions made by forensic dentists; that human dentition is indeed unique to each individual and that this uniqueness is able to be replicated in a bitemark. The procedures used to identify the varying characteristics of bitemarks in human skin and other materials cover such a range of analytical methods that is it not surprising to find experts reaching different conclusions. In addition, a majority of these methods lack a solid scientific background as support. The purposed method is a mathematical approach using angles and lengths between the anterior maxillary and mandible teeth to attempt to determine uniqueness of dentition. Fifty post-orthodontic dental casts from mostly young (15-43 years, mean= 17.74 years) individuals, formed the primary source for the evaluation of this method. While the results indicate that angles are good indicators of individuality among bitemarks, lengths do not provide such valuable evidence. In addition, 10 casts' lengths and angles were re-evaluated for a comparison to the original trial as evidence of the method's reproducibility. Only one comparison out of the 20 values proved to be statistically different, allowing the assumption that the method gives consistent results upon reproduction.