title: A Morphological and Morphometric Study of Bite Marks Caused by Mice (Mus Musculus) on Different Baits for Forensic Purposes.
abstract: In animal bites, the dental attributes can be fundamental in identifying the marks made by various species on different matrices. Although rodent bite marks have been studied in the context of postmortem interference, little research has used different baits to analyze these marks linking not only specific behavior patterns but also the possibility of structural damage. Twenty mice (Mus musculus) were exposed to different baits to study their bite marks in a controlled model. The known pattern of parallel and multiple grooves has been seen in all baits, but polyvinyl chloride and fiber-optic cable were significantly different between each other and the other baits. Some baits showed patterns of anchorage of the upper incisors and space between the lower incisors when gnawing. This technical note represents a novel model of analysis where veterinarians and/or dentists may be asked to give an opinion on alleged animal bite marks.
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Research in Police Sciences (IUICP), University of Alcalá, Ctra, Madrid-Barcelona Km 33.6 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, 28871, Spain.
authors.forename: Víctor A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Toledo
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Forensic Dentisty, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de La Frontera, Francisco Salazar 01145, Building L, Temuco, 4811230, Chile.
authors.forename: Gabriel M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Chile, Av. Santa Rosa 11735, Santiago, 8820808, Chile.
authors.forename: Paula A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: González
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Chile, Av. Santa Rosa 11735, Santiago, 8820808, Chile.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ibarra
authors.affiliation: Central Criminalistics Laboratory (LACRIM), Chilean Investigative Police (PDI), Avda. Carlos Silva Vildósola 9783, Santiago, 7860379, Chile.
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.affiliation: Central Criminalistics Laboratory (LACRIM), Chilean Investigative Police (PDI), Avda. Carlos Silva Vildósola 9783, Santiago, 7860379, Chile.
authors.forename: Pedro L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Sáez
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000473:pathology*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology; D003252:Construction Materials; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D051379:Mice; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D055100:Optical Fibers; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D013552:Swine; D014934:Wood
chemical_list: D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride
keywords: bite marks; forensic dentistry; forensic science; rodents; structural damage; veterinary forensic medicine