Reverse engineering in forensic investigations: a new approach to bite mark analysis

Authors

  • Enrica Macorano Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bari
  • Federica Mele Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bari
  • Mariagrazia Calvano Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bari
  • Mirko Leonardelli Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bari
  • Stefano Duma Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bari
  • Giovanni De Gabriele
  • Luigi Maria Galantucci Department of Mechanics, Mathematics, and Management, Polytechnic of Bari
  • Francesco Introna Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bari
  • Valeria Santoro Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bari
  • Maria Grazia Guerra Department of Mechanics, Mathematics, and Management, Polytechnic of Bari, Italy

Keywords:

Reverse engineering, Forensic Odontology, Bite Mark analysis,

Abstract

The study of bite marks provides crucial elements that contribute towards identifying the biter. In many cases, it assumes importance when bite marks are detected on the body of a victim of violence, but it could also be relevant when the bite marks are seen on food substances at the crime scene. In both circumstances, comparing the bite marks with a suspect’s dentition can be decisive in confirming or excluding the culpability.

In this case report, a bun (bread roll) with the sign of a bite was found at the crime scene.

We report a pilot study using 3D reproduction of the bite mark on the bun and dental models of the alleged biter and the victim. A reverse engineering process was used to obtain digital 3D models of the bitten bun and the dental models by taking numerous photographs and stitching them together using a software called Metashape by Agisoft.

The last step was to compare the bitemark to the two dental models, evaluating the spatial distance, the degree of overlap, and the degree of interpenetration.  The results confirmed the usefulness of reverse engineering in forensic investigations showing the compatibility between the victim's teeth and the bite mark on the bun.

 

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Published

2023-12-27

How to Cite

Macorano, E., Mele, F., Calvano, M., Leonardelli, M., Duma, S., De Gabriele, G., … Guerra, M. G. (2023). Reverse engineering in forensic investigations: a new approach to bite mark analysis. The Journal of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology - JFOS, 41(3), 45: 51. Retrieved from https://ojs.iofos.eu/index.php/Journal/article/view/1531