bite lesson
DENTAL FORENSICS
Forensic dentists assist in crime solving by studying teeth and teeth impressions. Dental records are often used to identify people. Because teeth are one of the hardest substances in the human body, they are frequently well preserved. Dental x-rays or records showing fillings, position of teeth, etc. can help forensic dentists find a match of teeth to the individual. Eighty percent of the time teeth impressions are used to identify unknown victims.
As a forensic dentist you will have the chance to match teeth impressions to discover who took the bite?
MATERIALS
Scissors
2 x Styrofoam Cups
Permanent Marker
PROCEDURE FOR MAKING BITE MARKS
What other characteristics of the impressions do you notice?
Compare the top teeth impressions to the bottom.
Are there teeth missing, spaces, chips, etc ... ?
EXTENSION ACTIVITY
To practice working as part of a forensic team and gathering evidence 5 random students will be selected, and the rest of the class will leave the room. One of the students will take a bite from a piece of cheese or chocolate, and leave bite make evidence behind. Use the foam cups to compare with the evidence to see if you can identify the owner of the bite.
Forensic dentists assist in crime solving by studying teeth and teeth impressions. Dental records are often used to identify people. Because teeth are one of the hardest substances in the human body, they are frequently well preserved. Dental x-rays or records showing fillings, position of teeth, etc. can help forensic dentists find a match of teeth to the individual. Eighty percent of the time teeth impressions are used to identify unknown victims.
As a forensic dentist you will have the chance to match teeth impressions to discover who took the bite?
MATERIALS
Scissors
2 x Styrofoam Cups
Permanent Marker
PROCEDURE FOR MAKING BITE MARKS
- Put the two styrofoam cups together.
- Place the side of the two cupss into your mouth as far as possible.
- Bite down on the cups firmly and then remove them.
- Label the top and bottom impressions: Top Teeth and Bottom Teeth.
- Study the teeth impressions.
- Count the number of teeth in the top and bottom impressions.
What other characteristics of the impressions do you notice?
Compare the top teeth impressions to the bottom.
Are there teeth missing, spaces, chips, etc ... ?
EXTENSION ACTIVITY
To practice working as part of a forensic team and gathering evidence 5 random students will be selected, and the rest of the class will leave the room. One of the students will take a bite from a piece of cheese or chocolate, and leave bite make evidence behind. Use the foam cups to compare with the evidence to see if you can identify the owner of the bite.