Bite Marks and their Forensic ...

Bite Marks and their Forensic Significance

Bite Marks and their Forensic Significance Quiz Crafted By-

Arti Varshney

Scientific Officer

Sherlock Institute of Forensic Science India Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi


Introduction to Bite Marks and their Forensic Significance

Analysis of bite marks plays an important role in personal identification in forensic casework. Bite marks can be recorded in violent crimes such as sexual offences, homicides, child abuse cases, and during sports events. The arrangement, size and alignment of human teeth are individualistic to each person. Teeth, acting as tools leave recognizable marks depending on tooth arrangement, malocclusion, habits, occupation, tooth fracture, and missing or extra teeth. Bite mark identification is based on the individuality of a dentition, which is used to match a bite mark to a suspect. Bite marks are often considered as valuable alternative to fingerprinting and DNA identification in forensic examinations.

Let's look at the questions and their answer. 


Ques 1. Which type of shape is formed by canine teeth in the cross-sectional view of bite mark on skin?

a) Circular shape

b) Rectangular shape

c) Triangular shape

d) Square shape

Answer- d) Square shape


Ques 2. The prime anatomical location of occurrence of bite marks are – 

a) Neck

b) Hands

c) Face

d) All of the above

Answer- d) All of the above


Ques 3. The standard bite mark measurement and photography is done by

a) ABFO

b) Ruled Scale

c) AFIS

d) ABO

Answer- a) ABFO


Ques 4. The pressure or the force exerted by the tongue when adequate tissue is taken into the mouth is termed as – 

a) Teeth pressure marks

b) Tongue pressure marks

c) Tooth scrape marks

d) None of the above

Answer- b) Tongue pressure marks


Ques 5. The dental arch of a human bite mark is of – 

a) V shaped

b) C shaped

c) U shaped

d) Both b and c

Answer- c) U shaped


Ques 6. The size of adult dental arch from canine to canine in bite mark is-

a) 2.5 to 4 cm

b) 2.5 to 4 mm

c) 2.5 to 4 inch

d) 1 to 6 cm

Answer-a) 2.5 to 4 cm


Ques 7. Skin with bite mark impression is preserved in

a) 4% Formaldehyde 

b) 10% Formaldehyde

c) NaCl

d) As such

Answer-b) 10% Formaldehyde


Ques 8. Bite mark imprint on the deceased body cannot be examined:

a) After death 

b) After 24 hrs

c) After 3 days

d) None of the above

Answer- c) After 3 days


Ques 9. Define Hemorrhage

a) A scrap on the skin

b) A profusely bleeding bite

c) Avulsion

d) Contusion

Answer- b) A profusely bleeding bite


Ques 10. A bite mark is categorized into ___ types.

a) Six

b) Seven

c) Nine

d) Ten

Answer- b) Seven

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