title: Analysis of time-dependent changes in Bitemarks on Styrofoam sheets.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The scope of Bitemarks in forensic dentistry is widening as they help the forensic expert in identifying the perpetuator in medicolegal cases. The greatest challenge in Bitemarks analysis is the time-dependent changes produced in Bitemark patterns on various substrates at the scene of the crime.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the time-dependent changes in Bitemarks on Styrofoam sheets.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single centered prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five subjects were randomly chosen, and dental casts prepared. Then test bites were registered on Styrofoam sheets, overlays prepared from these test bites on subsequent days (day 1, 2, 3, 4) and checked for matching accuracy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA to compare the overlays from dental stone cast with test bites on Styrofoam sheets on subsequent days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The P value was found to be 1 which is statistically not significant implying that there were no significant time-dependent changes in the pattern of Bitemarks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There were no time-dependent changes in the pattern of Bitemarks on Styrofoam sheets hence they serve as better materials than Bitemarks on human skin or food substrates obtained from the scene of the crime.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Mahatma Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Djeapragassam
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Parimala
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Mahatma Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Mariappan Jonathan
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Daniel
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Mahatma Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Subramanian Vasudevan
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Srinivasan
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Mahatma Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Jimsha Vannathan
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Kumaran
keywords: Bitemarks; Styrofoam; forensic dentistry; overlays; test bites
references.citation: Dent Clin North Am. 2001 Apr;45(2):365-97
references.pmid: 11370460
references.citation: J Forensic Odontostomatol. 2005 Dec;23(2):30-9
references.pmid: 16353753
references.citation: J Forensic Odontostomatol. 2001 Jun;19(1):5-8
references.pmid: 11494677
references.citation: J Forensic Odontostomatol. 2000 Dec;18(2):27-31
references.pmid: 11324267
references.citation: J Forensic Sci. 2009 Jan;54(1):167-76
references.pmid: 19040674
references.citation: J Forensic Odontostomatol. 2000 Jun;18(1):10-4
references.pmid: 11324087
references.citation: Oral Health Dent Manag. 2013 Sep;12(3):127-31
references.pmid: 24352302
references.citation: J Forensic Sci. 2001 May;46(3):573-6
references.pmid: 11372990
references.citation: J Forensic Sci. 2004 Jan;49(1):111-8
references.pmid: 14979355