This is a current AAFS educational profile talking about disciplines within forensic “science.” It is in the “choosing a career in forensic science” section and amongst other activities, explains “scientist-dentists” role in performing bitemark identification analysis. It seems the AAFS hasn’t put much credence to the National Academy of Science nor the President’s Council on Sci and Tech on this little group’s consistently failed attempts to be like Sherlock Holmes. Their claim of mentoring the new dentists fails to state that, since the ABFO’s birth in 1978, over 10% of this bunch has mis-identified innocent persons as being a violent criminal. [bold added].

Bitemarks and the AAFS website:

“Another important area of forensic dentistry is bitemark analysis.  Bitemarks can occur during a variety of human activity including assault, domestic violence, rape, elder abuse, self-defense, sports, accidents, infanticide, or other homicide.  The American Board of Forensic Odontology (www.abfo.org) has developed rigorous guidelines and standards for analysis and Board Diplomates (DABFO) require additional education, training, and experience in this subject matter.  New odontologists would be wise to work with experienced mentors certified by ABFO when doing their first few cases.  Experience with digital imaging and Photoshop^® is often a requirement during the evaluation and comparison phase of bitemark analysis.  DNA collection at autopsy or in the living is part of the bitemark protocol.”