Recognition of bite marks in child abuse cases.
Health professionals must be attentive to any and all signs of child maltreatment. Bite marks are one of several visual expressions of active child abuse. The efforts of forensic odontologists, in conjunction with recent technical advancements in bite mark analysis, support the uniqueness of the human dentition and have contributed to the conviction of numerous child abusers. Through recognition, proper documentation, and reporting dentists can help the forensic community use bite marks to solve cases of child maltreatment.
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Department of General Dentistry, University of Texas Houston Health Science Center, Dental Branch.
D001734:Bites, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control; D004282:Documentation; D005553:Forensic Dentistry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans