The Forensic Nurse

Forensic Odontology employs the use of several different descriptions to help clearly identify the type, depth, and severity of a bite mark on a victim. These types of descriptions may include:

Hemorrhage - Small Bleeding Spot

Abrasion - non damaging mark on the skin

Contusion - ruptured blood vessel, bruise

Laceration - punctured or torn skin

Incision - neat puncture of the skin

Avulsion - removal of skin

Artifact - bitten off piece of the body.

Using accurate terms to depict the severity of a victims injuries is import part of documentation. Failure to accurately show what level of injury was sustained can lead to a jury thinking that you are unqualified or that your professional opinion is just wrong. It could even lead to your entire testimony being stricken from the record if the court finds that you are not a qualified expert medical witness.