Analyzing Bacterial Strains of Bite Mark Victims

1815 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Dna crime investigation

Specific Aims:

In the United States, it is estimated that 63% of cases are solved, however that leaves 37% that are left unsolved. In violent crimes alone, the U.S. suffered over 1 million cases, of which almost half were left cold (FBI, 2010). A number of unsolved cases remain that way because of the lack of evidence, such as DNA at the crime scene. I intend to use the bacterial strains found in bite marks of victims to match the marks to the biter by comparing the strains found in each location. The bacteria amplified, using Polymerase Chain Reaction, and allow for a comparison between the various strains that should be found. From this, I will be able to suggest that bacteria found in wounds at the scene of a crime can be used to determine suspects.

There are three main points that need to brought into perspective The first is to test the saliva from each bacteria to determine that their bacterial strains aren’t the same genotype. The main bacterial type found in the human mouth is streptococcus (Kennedy 2011); assuming that is true in the cases of the volunteers, it is assumed that the bacterial strains of streptococcus found on the teeth and in saliva will be transferred to the skin of the victim as well. Though streptococcus is typically the most predominant strain found in the oral cavity, for the purpose of this study, the most predominant bacteria found in the volunteers of the experiment is what will be used in the results. The second is that the bacteria will survive long enough on the skin and survive the duration of the experiment. The last aim is to perform PCR and see if the bacteria, once amplified can be matched back to the person who it came from.

With these three points, I hope to prove that bacteria lef...

... middle of paper ...

...ccus mutans in mixed bacterial samples. FEMS Microbial Lett., 272, 154-162.

Kennedy, D. (2011) Forensic dentistry and microbial analysis of bite marks. APJ, 6-15.

Peipert, J.F. and Domagalski, L.R. (1994) Epidemiology of adolescent sexual assault. Obstet Gynecol 84, 867–871.

Pretty, I. A. and Sweet, D. (2000) Anatomical location of bite marks and associated findings in 101 cases from the United States. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 45, 812-814.

Rahimi, M., Heng, N.C.K., Kieser, J.A. and Tompkins, G.R. (2005) Genotypic comparison of bacteria recovered from human bite marks and teeth using arbitrarily primed PCR. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 99, 1265-1270.

Rothwell, B.R. (1995) Bite marks in forensic dentistry: a review of legal, scientific issues. J Am Dent Assoc 126, 223–232.

U.S. Department of Justice, FBI (2010) Crime in the United States.

Show More
Related

  • Identifying Two Unknown Species of Bacteria

    1333 Words  | 3 Pages

    After 5 days of growth each slant was tested using the gram staining technique to confirm the complete isolation of the bacteria. Both isolations were completely successful. Then each sample of bacteria was subjected to a series of tests for identification.

    Read More

  • Projectile Trauma Forensic Anthropology

    605 Words  | 2 Pages

    285) These types of injuries usually come from knives, axes, or other weapons like that. In some instances, a sharp trauma will look like a line across the bone. So, if someone is not trained in knowing what these marks are, they can be easily over looked. According to Byers (2011) “sharp trauma is the result of narrowly focused, dynamic compression forces applied to the surface of a bone.” (p. 285) Unlike blunt or projectile trauma, sharp force will be focused in a single area, unless the suspect us using an ax or machete there won’t be a large amount destruction to the bones. Using an ax or machete however can severely damage the bones that can look like blunt trauma. So, it is important for the forensic anthropologist to be able to distinguish between them.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Formal Outline Essay

    705 Words  | 2 Pages

    JUSTIFICATION: In researching the possibilities that the bite marks can be falsely identified, I found that the analysis is not always an accurate way to identify the suspect, that being said I think that we should reconsider the partial bite mark being used as evidence.

    Read More

  • DNA in Forensics

    801 Words  | 2 Pages

    "Forensic DNA Analysis." Marshall University Forensic Science Center. State of West Virginia, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. .

    Read More

  • Men as Victims

    922 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to RAINN, (2009) approximately 10 per cent of all victims of sexual assault and abuse are adult and juvenile males. In terms of the nature of assault, real figures include a compendium of reported incidents ranging from unwanted sexual touching to forced penetration. To qualify this statement, it must be understood that the percentage does not reflect a vast number of crimes that go unreported due to issues that will be discussed in the present paper.

    Read More

  • s, mutans

    756 Words  | 2 Pages

    Streptococcus mutans is a gram positive cocci shaped bacteria. It is a facultative anaerobes. Streptococcus mutans is found in the oral cavity and now can be found in the heart tissue and valves. Considering the fact that Streptococcus mutans is a facultative anaerobe the bacteria is often found in between your teeth, around your gum line, and on your occlusal surfaces. Streptococcus mutans lives in temperatures that range from eighteen to forty degrees celsius falling into the mesophile category. Streptococcus mutans changes the environment by adhering to a bio-film layer produced on the enamel surface of your teeth from such things including: acidic foods that contain sugars and starch, drinks that contain carbonation and sugars, whiting products, tobacco use, and lack of oral home care. The first virulence factor is dependent on the synthesis of water-soluble glycans from the disaccharide sucrose. By breaking down the glycogen this allows help for bacteria adhere better. Next virulence factor, Streptococcus mutans has the ability to become more acid tolerant and cell to cell communication. Once the bacteria is colonized in the bio-film it starts to produce an acidic environment below a ph of 7.(Kreth, et al., 2008) By doing so, Streptococcus mutans out competes any other organism living on the teeth or in the oral cavity. This leads to the third factor, which displays a production of lactic acid fro...

    Read More

  • Oral Microbiomes Essay

    1273 Words  | 3 Pages

    Every human has microbiomes that are personalized for the individual and are extremely important to maintaining a good health standing, however, these microbiomes can be capable of contracting a disease. One of the most common areas for these microbiomes to contract something that could be harmful to the person’s health is called the oral microbiomes, which are found in the mouths of humans. Within the biofilms of the oral cavity, rests these oral microbiomes that maintain a healthy equilibrium in the mouth. However, if not taken care of properly, oral microbiomes can be taken over by a pathogen that can quickly turn the state of the person’s mouth from a healthy equilibrium to a very unhealthy equilibrium (1). Some bacteria found in the oral cavity can be an extremely danger.

    Read More

  • Thesis Presentations

    850 Words  | 2 Pages

    On Wednesday, November 16, 2011, Katherine Stang, Aresh Kabirnavaei, and Andrew Roller, all students in the Master’s of Forensic Science program gave thesis presentations to the Forensic Seminar Class. The following paragraphs will summarize each topic.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of DNA Collection And Its Relationship To Solving Crime

    1511 Words  | 4 Pages

    Once a crime has been committed the most important item to recover is any type of evidence left at the scene. If the suspect left any Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) at the crime scene, he could then be linked to the crime and eventually charged. A suspect’s DNA can be recovered if the suspect leaves a sample of his or her DNA at the crime scene. However, this method was not always used to track down a suspect. Not too long ago, detectives used to use bite marks, blood stain detection, blood grouping as the primary tool to identify a suspect. DNA can be left or collected from the hair, saliva, blood, mucus, semen, urine, fecal matter, and even the bones. DNA analysis has been the most recent technique employed by the forensic science community to identify a suspect or victim since the use of fingerprinting. Moreover, since the introduction of this new technique it has been a la...

    Read More

  • Contraction and Spread of Streptococcus pyogenes

    1340 Words  | 3 Pages

    Streptococcus pyogenes is thought to live benignly within one in five people, and is thusly one of the most common pathogens among humans. Due to its common

    Read More

  • Anthropology In Forensic Anthropology

    1639 Words  | 4 Pages

    Sauer, N. J. (1998). The timing of injuries and manner of death: distinguishing among antemortem, perimortem and postmortem trauma. Forensic Osteology, 2nd edition Springfield, Illinois: Charles C Thomas, 321-332.

    Read More

  • The Forensic Science of Criminal Profiling

    1420 Words  | 3 Pages

    Forensic science has been in practice for centuries; the first textbook on forensic science was printed in China during the 1200's; in the early 1800's, a technique was developed the first test to identify arsenic in the blood stream; the early 1900's lead to the development of using fingerprinting to identify victims and suspects. While these discoveries where important in criminal investigation, they were only the beginning. Only recently has forensic science significantly refined its techniques and accuracy. Today scientists can locate, identify and trace the tiniest of particles, and identify victims and suspects, beyond a reasonable doubt through DNA analysis. This evolution in forensic science is a prosecutor's dream; while a defense attorney's nightmare. Forensic science has made great strides.

    Read More

  • Essay On Periodontal Disease

    831 Words  | 2 Pages

    Saliva contains glucose; therefore, if you have uncontrolled diabetes, the amount of glucose present in your saliva is elevated. We naturally have somewhere between 200 to 300 bacterial species in our mouths: Some of these bacteria are good and some of them are bad. Streptococcus mutans is typically the bacterium responsible for causing tooth decay; whereas, periodontal disease is usually caused by a mixture of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola.

    Read More

  • Blood Spatter Analysis

    598 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many of us enjoy watching crime scene investigation shows, but in the criminal justice system forensic investigation is an essential field that requires upright observations and a prodigious interpretation. Under forensics, it is difficult to blame someone without scientific data. For that reason, Larry K. Gaines author of the textbook Criminal Justice in Action explains the importance of Blood Spatter Analysis. Specialist can learn a great deal about violent crime by examining where blood landed at the scene, the size and consistency of drops, and the pattern of blood spatter (Gaines, 2011). Consequently, an article of the Blood Spatter Analysis will be used to explain the research methodology the author uses to proceed certain investigations.

    Read More

  • Forensic Odontology Essay

    1791 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...ot be found, the forensic dentists uses a post-mortem dental profiling to aide in narrowing down the search (3). Bite marks are quite common in forensic odontology. The American Board of Forensic Odontology has broken up bite mark analysis into 3 major stages. These stages are a description of bite marks, the collection of evidence from the victim and the suspect and finally, the analysis of the bite marks (5). The methods used to perform this task are the manual process which using tracing, photocopier generated overlays, 2D polyline method and the painting method (4). Despite having better and more improved methods to conduct the comparison of bite marks, there still exists a huge problem. The problem involves the physical properties of skin which may cause the bite mark to change (5). Hopefully, in the future more research is done to overcome this issue.

    Read More

More about Analyzing Bacterial Strains of Bite Mark Victims

Open Document