U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Toneline Bite Mark Photography
NCJ Number
              134458

Author(s)
          E Robinson, J Wentzel
Date Published

January 1992
Length
              13 pages
Annotation
              In bite mark analysis, the initial photograph is critical for the collection and presentation of evidence.  A high-contrast film technique previously used primarily in the graphic arts field has been refined and applied to forensic odontology.
Abstract
              In developing the technique, the investigation concentrated on looking for the optimum negatives to be enlarged onto lithographic film to achieve a black "pen-and-ink" line around the bite mark. The researchers also wanted to demonstrate the subjective qualities of currently accepted examination methods. The investigation involved 14 bite marks. Five were self-inflicted by a researcher because of a lack of timely coroner cases; nine were present on four decedents. The study produced 716 panchromatic film negatives (51 per bite mark), 463 orthographic film positives (33 per bite mark), 67 orthographic film negatives (5 per bite mark), and 23 toneline film positives (2 per bite mark). The toneline process reduced interpretational bias and yielded a transparent overlay with a photographic outline of the bite mark which could be directly compared with models of the suspect's teeth. It was determined that toneline photography is inexpensive and can be easily duplicated.  The technique, however, has problems in that there is a loss of detail in shadows and it does not always work. 23 references. 2 tables, and 6 figures (Author abstract modified)
      
  
          Additional Details
Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored
    
  
  
Date Published: January 1, 1992
    
          Downloads
        
                      *No download available*

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Bite marks
        Forensic sciences
        Forensic odontology
        Dental analysis



  
Similar Publications
        
                      Commentary On: Thompson WC. Uncertainty in Probabilistic Genotyping of Low Template DNA: A Case Study Comparing STRmixTM and TrueAlleleTM
                  Chromatographic and mass spectral studies on methoxymethcathinones related to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine
                  Enhancing Foundational Validity of Forensic Findings in Medico-Legal Strangulation Examinations
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov