Probability of a Match in Bitemarks

This funding would be used to develop a tool to aid the forensic odontologist in determining an objectively-based probability of a match by (1) developing a statistical analysis methodology that can utilize the 3-D analytical protocols and goodness of fit measure to determine the probability of a match between the suspects; Dentition and the bitemark; (2) collecting anonymous dental impressions, bitemark photos and forensic odontologists' reports from completed cases to comprise an experimental base; (3) creating new test cases to add to the experimental base to test the range of the methodology; and (4) estimating the parameters for this methodology. ca/ncf