Bitemark Evidence

Experts in the field of bitemark evidence confront complexities ranging from the identification and collection of evidence, to microscopic analysis, to legal implications and courtroom admissibility. Now in its second edition, Bitemark Evidence reflects the knowledge, training, experience, opinions, and research of 27 authors from around the world

The first stand-alone textbook on the subject, this illuminating reference compiles the expertise and recommendations of a team of 21 eminent specialists from the disciplines of forensic odontology, DNA analysis, pathology, and jurisprudence. It is generously illustrated with more than 543 black and white photographs and 32 full-color pages that serve to illustrate the many facets of bitemark recognition, diagnosis, handling, excision, lifting, transillumination, storage, preservation, transportation, analysis, and comparison. Thirty comprehensive chapters illustrate animal and human bitemarks on the living, the deceased, and on objects-incorporating sections on the history of bitemark evidence, salivary DNA, genotypic comparison of oral bacteria, legal and courtroom implications, and expert witness liability.

This handbook is written for police investigators and forensic personnel who are tasked with developing investigations that require expertise in dentistry. The focus is providing the information necessary to recognize and professionally manage dental evidence. Investigators will understand the scientific nomenclature, scientific issues and the specialized forensic nature of this type of forensic investigation. The emphasis is on human identification from dental structures, the identification of people from bite marks, and the signs and significance of dental injuries present in violent crime. Law enforcement personnel, coroners, and other death investigators often encounter crime scenes and victims that require dental expertise. Attorneys are asked to present dental evidence in court. This book delivers the backbone information for these individuals to better assess their needs in both casework and litigation. Forensic Dentistry contains numerous photographs of crime scene evidence and bite marks on victims and details for the reader the types of dental evidence and what is expected regarding collection, documentation, and the capabilities of analytical methods. This book is the first of its kind to present essential information to the field investigator in a format that allows easy reference and comprehensive detail. * Contains previously unavailable information on digital photography and dental evidence * Includes dozens of photos that illustrate the proper collection and preservation of evidence * Provides desperately needed and essential information necessary to recognize, and professionally manage dental evidence

Forensic Science Reform: Protecting the Innocent is written for the nonscientist to help make complicated scientific information clear and concise enough for attorneys and judges to master. This volume covers physical forensic science, namely arson, shaken baby syndrome, non-accidental trauma, bite marks, DNA, ballistics, comparative bullet lead analysis, fingerprint analysis, and hair and fiber analysis, and contains valuable contributions from leading experts in the field of forensic science. Offers training for prosecuting attorneys on the present state of the forensic sciences in order to avoid reliance on legal precedent that lags decades behind the science Provides defense attorneys the knowledge to defend their clients against flawed science Arms innocence projects and appellate attorneys with the latest information to challenge convictions that were obtained using faulty science Uses science-specific case studies to simplify issues in forensic science for the legal professional Offers a detailed overview of both the failures and progress made in the forensic sciences, making the volume ideal for law school courses covering wrongful convictions, or for undergraduate courses on law, legal ethics, or forensics

Forensic Odontology: Principles and Practice details the aspects necessary to become an accomplished forensic odontologist, including an illustration of the skills necessary to become an expert witness. The book is ideal for both the experienced and novice forensic odontologist, covering many fields of expertise, including civil and criminal matters. The civil side involves standard of care and personal injury matters, while the criminal side involves not only dental identification, but management of mass fatality incidents, age assessment, child and elder abuse, and bitemark analysis. Provides a comprehensive review of forensic odontology, including the skills necessary to become a competent expert witness Covers the fields of forensic odontology, the basic skills, legal aspects, legal precedents, report writing and expert witness testimony Includes numerous illustrations, including charts and graphs, along with B&W and color images

Recent years have witnessed significant advances in forensic odontology. This book presents basic concepts in the field and describes all the standard examination procedures currently employed in the acquisition of dental evidence. Detailed information is provided on the identification of unknown individuals, the application of forensic dentistry in mass disasters and multiple fatality incidents, the role of dental evidence in child abuse investigations, and the analysis of bite mark evidence. Other features of the book are a series of high-profile cases, clear advice on the writing of legal reports, and discussion of the significance of DNA and oral fluid in forensic odontology. The text is supplemented by numerous high-quality figures, many of them in color. This book will be invaluable for dental examiners and pathologists, legal and police science professionals, and dentists who want to use their training and experience in an interesting and challenging way.

Advances in forensic odontology have led to improvements in dental identification for individual cases as well as in disaster victim identification (DVI). New and updated technologies mean advances in bitemark analysis and age estimation. Growth in the field has strengthened missing persons’ networks leading to more and faster identifications of unidentified individuals. A product of the American Society of Forensic Odontology, the Manual of Forensic Odontology, Fifth Edition provides comprehensive and up-to-date information involving all facets of forensic dentistry and explores critical issues relating to the scientific principles supporting the field’s evaluations and conclusions. New information in the Fifth Edition includes Scientific principles and the need for more and better research in the field Oral and maxillofacial radiographic features of forensic interest Forensic pathology and its ties to forensic odontology New techniques and improved technologies for age estimation Advances in bitemark evidence management Animal bitemarks National and international forensic dental organizations Tips for becoming involved in forensic odontology The manual has been an important source of forensic dentistry information for more than 20 years. This new edition is edited by a past president of the American Board of Forensic Odontology and a past Chair of the Odontology Section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Expanded and enhanced with extensive color illustrations, this volume is designed to provide essential information based on sound scientific principles for experienced forensic odontologists and for those new to the discipline.

Forensic Dental Evidence: An Investigators Handbook highlights the discussion regarding unjust convictions caused by inaccurate bitemark opinions. The book focuses on cases that use forensic techniques, emphasizing modern methods and protocols. Through this book, the latest information available is offered to the forensic community. This book demonstrates expertise in forensic dentistry by presenting chapters on human identification in domestic and international situations; investigations on missing person and violent crimes against persons; mass-disaster planning and disaster response; and new threats from terrorist attacks on urban centers. Furthermore, it discusses topics regarding bitemark evidence, such as forensic photography, analysis and legal issues. The book also presents two chapters on new scientific topics: The Next Level in Victim Identification: Materials Properties as an Aid in Victim Identification; and DNA for First Responders: Recognizing, Collecting, and Analyzing Biological Evidence Related to Dentistry (chapters 3 and 8, respectively). This book is suited to anyone seeking knowledge on forensic dentistry; it will be of great value to investigators, lawyers, medical examiners, nurses, and dentists with an interest in forensic dental cases. Contributions by internationally recognized and experienced forensic experts cover missing persons cases and mass disaster cases from around the world Contains over 200 full-color photographs of crime scene evidence, human identification cases and bitemark details Includes many new exoneration cases derived from the Editor's work with the Innocence Project