impression evidence - bitemarks

Question 1

What are latent impressions?

Answer 1

Hidden marks you can’t see right away.

Example: A faint bite mark left on skin.

Question 2

What are patent impressions?

Answer 2

Visible to the naked eye.

Example: A bloody bite mark on someone’s arm.

Question 3

What are plastic impressions?

Answer 3

3D marks left in soft materials.

Example: A bite mark in cheese or wax.

Question 4

What is enamel?

Answer 4

Hard outer layer of the tooth that protects it.

Question 5

What is the crown of a tooth?

Answer 5

Part of the tooth you can see above the gumline.

Question 6

What are permanent teeth?

Answer 6

Teeth that replace baby teeth, totaling 32 in number.

Question 7

What are primary (baby) teeth?

Answer 7

The first set of teeth, totaling 20.

Question 8

What are incisors?

Answer 8

The first 4 teeth on the top and bottom.

Question 9

What are canines?

Answer 9

“Vampire fangs” next to incisors on each side, top and bottom.

Question 10

What are premolars?

Answer 10

Teeth located between canines and molars, totaling 8.

Question 11

What are molars?

Answer 11

Big teeth in the back used for grinding, totaling 8.

Question 12

What are wisdom teeth?

Answer 12

The third set of molars that might or might not grow in.

Question 13

When are wisdom teeth typically removed?

Answer 13

Usually removed in late teens or early 20s.

Example: “I got them removed.”

Question 14

What is dentition?

Answer 14

The way teeth are arranged in your mouth.

Question 15

What is the root of a tooth?

Answer 15

Part of the tooth under the gum that holds it in place.

Gets infected in a root canal.

Question 16

What is a pulp?

Answer 16

Soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels.

Causes pain when you have a deep cavity.

Question 17

What is dentine?

Answer 17

The layer beneath the enamel that can be sensitive.

Causes pain if enamel wears down.

Question 18

What is a contusion?

Answer 18

A bruise caused by bleeding under the skin.

A black & blue mark from a punch or bite.

Question 19

What is an avulsion?

Answer 19

A body part being forcibly torn off.

A tooth being ripped out during an accident.

Question 20

What is an artifact in evidence?

Answer 20

Something that appears in evidence but is not part of the original item.

A smudge or distortion in a bite mark caused by movement.

Question 22

How many primary (baby) teeth are there?

Answer 22

20

Question 23

How many permanent teeth are there?

Answer 23

32

Question 24

How many wisdom teeth can a person have?

Answer 24

4 if you have them

Question 25

What are incisors?

Answer 25

Front teeth used for cutting.

Question 26

What are canines?

Answer 26

Pointed teeth used for tearing.

Question 27

What are premolars?

Answer 27

Teeth between canines and molars used for crushing.

Question 28

What are molars?

Answer 28

Back teeth used for grinding.

Question 29

What makes a bite mark unique?

Answer 29

Size, number of teeth, coloration, alignment, unique fillings, crowns, caps, distance between teeth, condition of teeth.