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The “hypopigmented” bitemark: a clinical and histologic appraisal

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Abstract

So-called “hypopigmented” bitemark patterns, commonly seen but not limited to dark skinned individuals, can be of value in forensic investigations. The process of aging bitemarks observed on skin is controversial and without guidelines. This report analyzes tissue obtained from the site of a hypopigmented bitemark using special histochemical stains for the identification of melanin pigment, and a panel of immunohistochemical markers to aid in the aging process. Histologic evaluation clearly showed that cellular changes in the hypopigmented area were indicative of wound healing that had taken place over a period of time. This validates the hypothesis that a hypopigmented bitemark is an indication of a wound inflicted some days previously. These findings have value in forensic investigations, particularly in cases of suspected long-term physical abuse.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, University of Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

    Liam Robinson & Herman Bernitz

  2. Department of Oral Pathology, Oral Microbiology & Oral Biology, School of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho University, Gauteng, South Africa

    Belinda K. Bunn

  3. Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

    Ryan Blumenthal

Authors
  1. Liam Robinson
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  2. Belinda K. Bunn
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  3. Ryan Blumenthal
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  4. Herman Bernitz
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Correspondence to Liam Robinson.

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This study was approved by the University of Pretoria, Faculty of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee (Reference no.: 141/2022). All procedures followed the ethical standards of the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2008.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Robinson, L., Bunn, B.K., Blumenthal, R. et al. The “hypopigmented” bitemark: a clinical and histologic appraisal. Int J Legal Med 137, 99–104 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-022-02922-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-022-02922-x

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