Fischer et al listed a number of criteria that can be used to help distinguish human from dog bites. The authors are from Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit and the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office in Pontiac, Michigan.
Features:
(1) shape of the teeth markings
(2) depth of the bite
(3) number of incisors
(4) number of canines
Feature
Human Bite
Dog Bite
shape of the teeth markings
elliptical or oval
long arch with a short, straight anterior segment
depth
superficial abrasions or contusions
deep punctures with tearing of tissues
incisors
4 incisors producing rectangular marks
6 incisors
canines
2 short canines producing triangular marks
2 long and curved canines
Limitations:
• The canines of a small dog will be small.
• A person may be missing one or more teeth.
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