Bite Mark Scale
The Bite Mark scale is used to classify the severety of the wound left. Although, as the scale gets higher and the severity gets worse, that is not the case for the forensic significance. The scale consists of:
1) Very mild bruising, no individual tooth marks present, diffuse
arches visible, may be caused by something other than teeth – low
forensic significance
2) Obvious bruising with individual, discrete areas associated with
teeth, skin remains intact, moderate forensic significance
3) Very obvious bruising with small lacerations associated with
teeth on the most severe aspects of the injury, likely to be assessed
as definite bitemark, high significance
4) Numerous areas of laceration, with some bruising, some areas of
the wound may be incised. Unlikely to be confused with any other
injury mechanism and a high forensic significance.
5) Partial avulsion of tissue, some lacerations present indicating
teeth as the probable cause of the injury. Moderate forensic
significance.
6) Complete avulsion of tissue, possibly some scalloping of the
injury margins suggested that teeth may have been responsible for
If you click on the picture below, it will take you to a page where you can see the full scale and pictures showing the severity of he bitemarks according to the scale.