Bite mark analysis in child abuse.

The science of bite mark analysis is relatively new and potentially valuable. This science has been greatly used in identifying the suspects involved in crimes related to sex, child abuse, and altercations of various types. Child abuse is presenting a serious social problem with global dimensions, which is increasing at an alarming rate in all socioeconomic strata and all ethnic or racial communities. The aim of the present study was to assess these bite marks and analyze the effectiveness of a simple technique used in the department of pedodontics and preventive dentistry, College of Dental Surgery, Manipal.