Herman Bernitz
The correct forensic approach to the misunderstood science of bite marks
- Professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
- B.Ch.D (1978).
- M.Sc. (Odont) cum laude in Oral Pathology (1996).
- Dip. Odont. cum laude in Forensic Odontology (1998).
- Doctorate Ph.D (2004).
- President of the International Organisation of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology (IOFOS) from 2005 to 2011.
- Participated in Disaster Victim Identification missions within Africa
- Lectured extensively on five continents on forensic odontology related subjects
- Published 74 scientific papers.
- Contributed 5 book chapters including the chapters on bite mark analysis for the Encyclopaedia of Forensic and Legal Medicine and the new forensic IOFOS textbook.
Nationality: South African
Scientific areas: Forensic Dentistry
23 of november, from 14h30 until 19h00
Room 1
Conference summary
This lecture will give a broad overview of the current history and status of bite mark science globally. Important aspects, including the Innocence project and the uniqueness of the human dentition will be discussed. The possibility of a general practitioner being asked to collect bite mark evidence is becoming every increasing. The broad introduction will be followed by a discussion of the different types of bite marks and the prescribed protocol for the collection of the bite mark evidence.
Each step in the collection protocol will be covered with pitfalls that can be encountered by inexperienced first timers. New 3D scanning techniques used in the collection of evidence will also be discussed. The use of microscopic techniques will be included. The talk will cover all aspects of bite mark analysis with the levels of conclusion that can be applied to skin bite marks and bite marks found in inanimate objects.
The merits of pattern association will be highlighted and the problems associated with metric analysis will be discussed. All aspects of warping, shrinkage and distortion with relevance to bite mark analysis will be explained. The importance of knowing the prevalence of specific dental features within the relevant populations will also be highlighted. The realities of cognitive bias will also be explained. The lecture will conclude with an overview of legal report writing.