The aging of bitemarks through the subjective interpretation of visual signs has created an area of controversy in the forensic science community. The healing dynamics of these bite wounds has been insufficiently studied and is poorly understood. If the injury produced by a bite is sufficient, and healing is allowed to proceed, a bruise may result with time. The article discusses the visual aging of bruises, microscopic aging techniques, histologic aging techniques, enzyme histochemical methods, biochemical studies and immunological studies. The article concludes that, from the small number of studies either directly or indirectly related to the aging of bitemarks, forensic experts have very little scientific research to support opinions regarding the aging of bruises either visually or microscopically. Individuals who consider themselves "experts" in aging bitemarks are overstepping the bounds of their true abilities. Table, references