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Comparison of Animal Jaws and Bite Mark Patterns

NCJ Number
215150
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 51 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2006 Pages: 846-860
Author(s)
Denise C. Murmann D.D.S; Paula C. Brumit D.D.S; Bruce A. Schrader D.D.S; David R. Senn D.D.S
Date Published
July 2006
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study compared the jaw shapes and bite-mark patterns of 486 specimens of 12 species of wild and domestic animals in order to assist investigators in analyzing animal bite marks.
Abstract
Twelve tables show the measurements--maxillary maximum canine width, maxillary tip, maxillary mesial bone height, mandible separated, mandibular tip, and mandibular mesial bone height--for each of the 12 species. The 12 species are domestic cat, bobcat, lynx, mountain lion, gray fox, red fox, domestic dog, coyote, gray wolf, wolverine, black bear, and grizzly bear. Three tables show the measurement ranges of the cat family, dog family, and wolverine and bears. A separate table indicates the intercanine width ranges. One figure shows a compilation of the foamed polystyrene exemplars by family, and another figure illustrates a comparison of the bite exemplars of the bear and wolf to a human exemplar. The authors advise that aggressive animal bites can produce extensive injuries that require great skill and experience to analyze. The current work provides an initial study of the characteristics of animal bites and the animals that make them. More data and analysis are required to identify the characteristics of subtle differences in bite marks within and across species and according to attack characteristics. The samples for this study were obtained from the Mammalian Collection at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, IL. In addition to metric analysis, one skull from each species was photographed as a representative sample. Bite patterns of the maxillary and mandibular dentition were documented by using foamed polystyrene exemplars, which were also photographed. A modified technique for measuring intercanine distances was developed to provide a more accurate result. 16 tables, 10 figures, and 10 references