Rom J Leg Med 15 (1) 45 49 (2006)

2006 Romanian Society of Legal Medicine

________________________
*)Corresponding author, Professor, Institutul de Medicin Legal Ia#i, str. Buna Vestire nr. 4, Ia#i
700455, Romania

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Forensic stomatological identification of a murderer



Calin Scripcaru*, Irina Agrosoaie, Natalia Ceavdari, Irina Manoilescu,




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Abstract: Starting from a case of incest between son and mother followed by the mechanical asphixia of
the victim, determined by the fact that the author didnt recognise the crime, the police officer asked for a
medico-legal odontological examination. On the chin of the victim we could see two wounds which were
compared with the incisive teeth of the suspect. The experts used electronical photos of the victim and of the
teeth of the suspect and a mulage of the dental structure of the suspect. We used four of the five methods
described: photos, printing, mulage and superposition. The sizes, shapes and positions of the wounds were
identical with the incisive teeth of the suspect. The single difference was determined by the distace between the
two wounds, wich was 2mm longer than the distance between the incisives of the suspect. The authors explained
the diffirence was determined by the elastic layers of the skin in the chin region. The great number of concordant
elements supported the conclusion that the wounds were produced by the teeth of the suspect.
Key words: chin wounds, incisival spaice, mulage, superposition





tarting from a case of rape followed by mechanical asphyxia. The main suspect is
the son of the victim. the police officer asked for a medico-legal odontological
examination. On the chin of the
victim we could see two
wounds which were compared
with the incisive teeth of the
suspect.
Together with many
ecchymosis and bruses, on the
chin it was possible to identify
two linear cutted wounds with
marker characteristics.The
wounds are horizontal, placed
on a slightly curve line,
presenting smooth, well defined
borders, flat angles, excepting
S

Fig. 1
Scripcaru Calin et al Forensic stomatological identification


46
the left wound which has a sharp external angle.
Taking into account the
appearance of the wounds, the
force of compression seems to
be equal on their entire length.
The measurement of the wounds
and of the free space (using the
Image Tool programme) showed
the left wound of 4,94 mm, the
right wound of 7,12 mm and the
free space of 9,56 mm. (Fig. 1)
The length and the width
of the wounds showed to be
several tenth of milimeter bigger
than the object that produced
them, as a consequence of the
local tissual inflamation preceeding death.Under the
chin we found a diffuse violaceous ecchymosis
without marker characteristics (Fig. 2).
The ecchymosis of the internal side of the left
thigh has the same dimensions as the two chin wounds
and of the free space between them (Fig. 3).

The dental examination of the suspect showed
that tooth 21 has a smooth incisal edge, sharp and
without crenels. Tooth 11 is missing. Tooth 12
has a smooth incisal edge, without crenels and
slightly narrow and inclined, compared with
tooth 21. The width of tooth 21 is 8 mm, the free
space of 8,57 mm, and the width of tooth 12 of 5,01 mm, by direct measurement of the suspect
(Fig. 4).


The measurement of the
impression on a wax
moulage showed the width
of tooth 21 of 7,33 mm, the
free space of 8,26 mm, the
width of tooth 12 of 5,04
mm.


Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4
MASURATORI EFECTUATE PE AMPRENTA LUATA PE MULAJ DE CEARA:

Fig. 5
Romanian Journal of Legal Medicine Vol. XV, nr. 1, 2007


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The measurements of the impression on a plastic moulage showed the width of tooth 21 of
8,45 mm, the free space of 8,31 mm, the width of tooth 12 of 4,93 mm (Fig. 6)


Fig. 7

The reconstruction of the imprint of teeth 12, 21 and of the free space using the plaster
moulage (Fig. 7, 8).

Reconstituirea amprentei dintilor frontali
dupa mulajul de ghips

Fig. 8


Fig. 6
Scripcaru Calin et al Forensic stomatological identification


48
Suprapunerea urmei dinilor frontali pe amprenta din luat! pe

Fig. 9

The superposition of the mark of the frontal teeth on the imprint on plastic material,
after both images were brought to
the natural size (Fig. 9).
The superposition of the
mark of the frontal teeth on the
image of the wounds of the victim,
after both images were brought to
the natural size(Fig. 10).

CONCLUSIONS

1. The dimensions of both
wounds are approximately
equal with those of the studied
teeth. The small differences
between them could be the
consequence of local tissual
reactions.
2. The difference is bigger when
we compare the free space measured on the suspects denture with the distance between
the wounds on the victims chin (aprox. 1 mm)
3. The morphology of the lesions reflects with fidelity the aggressors teeth shape because
of its location on a soft tissue over a bony plan.
4. The superimposition method showed an evident correspondence between the marks
taken by the three methods described below and the characteristics of the aggressors
teeth.
5. The same correspondence was confirmed between the aggressors teeth and the shape
and size of the victims wounds.
6. The methods we used (pictures, moulages, imprints and superposition) and the
measurements we made on the digital images with the help of image Tool programme
showed almost identical results.
7. We appreciate that most probable the studied chin wounds were produced by aggressors
teeth 12 and 21.

Romanian Journal of Legal Medicine Vol. XV, nr. 1, 2007


49
8. The most credible credible way the chin wounds were produced, was by direct striking of
the chin towards the superior teeth of the aggressor and not by classical bite.
9. Most probably the parallel ecchymosis on the internal side of the left thigh were
produced by biting by sliding of the teeth with the same characteristics towards the soft
tissues of the victim.
10. The morphological peculiarities of a persons denture represent individual characteristics
and there is a very low probability to find two identical persons in the same areal


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