• Accuracy in bite mark photography is crucial for effective comparative
analysis between potential suspects and the bite.
• The skillful recording of photographic images of the injury is essential for
reliable evidence.
• Qualified odontologists now use digital imaging for evidence collection,
analysis, and comparison.
• Focus on properly recording accurate images using digital camera systems.
• Accurate image recording remains essential for reliable forensic analysis and
legal proceedings.
ORIENTATION PHOTOS
• Orientation shots are taken from three to five feet away to show the location
of the bite mark clearly on the body.
• While not mandatory, including a scale for reference is advisable.
• The ABFO #2 scale is commonly used, providing millimeter indices and
neutral grey color blocks.
• This is an L- shaped scale with two arms perpendicular to each other
MACROPHOTOGRAPHY
• First, photograph the bite mark without a scale to show the entire injury.
• Then, place the scale adjacent to the injury without covering any portion
of it.
• Positioning the scale in the same plane as the injury will provide
better focal accuracy
• Ensure the camera lens is perpendicular to the bite mark to minimize
angular distortion.
• One simple technique for determining correct camera position is to
place a small mirror over the area to be photographed, and oriented
in the same plane as the injury.
• When dealing with bite marks on curved surfaces, such as the human
body, it can be challenging to capture the entire bite mark in a single
photograph due to the curvature of the surface. Therefore, it's
recommended to photograph each individual arch of the bite mark
separately.
VISIBLE LIGHT IMAGING
• In the past, bite marks were recommended to be photographed in both color and black
and white formats to capture different details.
• With digital cameras, both formats can be achieved in one photo by using software
like Adobe Photoshop to desaturate the image.
• Modern digital cameras allow for image capture at various ISO ratings, offering
improved quality.
• Higher ISO ratings may produce grainy photos due to film emulsion or digital noise.
• Shooting images at higher ISO ratings allows for the use of higher f-stops (aperture
settings).
• Higher f-stops increase the depth of field, meaning more of the image will be in focus
from near to far.
• This is advantageous for capturing detailed images with clarity across a wider range
of distances.
• When shooting with flash assistance and using automatic settings on the
camera, exposures are typically adequate for most situations.
• However, during macro photography (close-up shots), automatic settings
may cause overexposure due to the proximity of the subject to the camera.
• In such cases, the user must override the automatic settings and manually
adjust exposure to avoid overexposure and maintain image quality.
• It's essential for photographers to familiarize themselves with the manual
settings on the camera.
• Manual adjustments are necessary to correct for both underexposed (too
dark) and overexposed (too bright) images, especially in challenging
lighting conditions or specific photography scenarios like macro
photography.
• If shooting forensic images- recording in RAW mode.
• Recording in RAW mode allows for post-processing adjustments in
software like Adobe Photoshop while preserving the original image.
• the modified image must be saved as a different file format such as J-
PEG, TIFF, PDF etc., therefore preserving the original proprietary RAW
image.
• A sturdy tripod is part of the required equipment necessary in order to
achieve successful image documentation.
• In post-mortem photography a tripod is a useful tool for image
composition and accurate focus, although sometimes it is difficult to
position the camera directly over a bite mark when the gurney
presents a hindrance.
• When the subject is a wriggling child, the use of a tripod is typically out
of the question.
• The resolution of images (size of digital file) should be large enough
for the user to enlarge the image to life-size proportions at a
minimum of 300 dots per inch (DPI) without loss of fine detail.
• The ability to transfer the image to either a hard drive or directly
download it from the camera is also a must.
• Some cameras have fixed zoom lenses suitable for various
photography types, while others require multiple lenses.
• A mid-range "Pro-sumer" level SLR camera with fixed zoom lens is
recommended.
• Most digital cameras capable of taking visible light images can also capture images using a forensic light source in manual
mode.
• In manual mode, users can adjust exposure settings such as aperture and exposure time, electronically determined by the
camera's software.
• Metadata accompanying each image includes settings used, acquisition or modification date, file type and size, ISO, exposure
duration, and f-stop.
• Specialized equipment required for alternate light imaging includes a forensic light source and a #15 yellow filter for the
camera lens.
• For bite mark photography on skin, a 450 nanometer (blue) light is recommended due to skin's peak fluorescence at that
frequency.
• The #15 yellow filter blocks reflected blue light, capturing a fluorescing image of the bruise, enhancing differences between
injured and uninjured tissue.
• Underexposing alternate light images by one or two stops often yields better results than normal or overexposed settings.
• Tripod-mounting the camera is essential for post-mortem situations due to variable exposure times.
• Exposure time depends on ISO speed, forensic light source strength, skin pigmentation, and bite mark location.
• Alternate light imaging should be conducted in total darkness, with only the forensic light source illuminating the subject.
• Focusing is done through the yellow filter attached to the lens, with all other lights turned off during image acquisition.
Visible light image of two-week old bite on arm
Alternate light image of same bite
