ABSTRACT
Depredation by the Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) is currently thought to be a problem in some areas of Spain. However, there are few technically validated forensic tools available to determine the veracity of claims with a high degree of scientific confidence, which is important given that such attacks may lead to compensation. The analysis of bite marks on attacked animals could provide scientific evidence to help identify the offender. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the morphological and morphometric characteristics of Iberian wolf dentition. This data collection would serve as a base-point for a more accurate identification of the wolves thorough their bite marks. For the first time, 36 dental variables have been studied in wolves' skulls, employing univariate and multivariate analyses. The general morphological dental characteristics of wolves are very similar in terms of their dental formula and tooth structure to other canids, like domestic dogs. Sex differentiation was evident, principally in terms of the maxillary distance between the palatal surfaces of the canine teeth (UbC) and the width of the left mandibular canine teeth (LlCWd). New morphometric reference information was obtained that can aid the forensic identification of bite marks caused by the Iberian wolf with greater confidence.
ABSTRACT
La Odontología forense es una rama de las Ciencias Forenses que se utiliza para establecer la identidad de una víctima o victimario mediante el estudio de las huellas de mordeduras, estimación de edad cronológica, entre otros. Dada la inexistencia de este tipo de estudios en Chile y la magnitud que alcanza el problema de mordidas de perros en Chile, se compararon los patrones de huellas de mordedura según forma del cráneo, mediante el análisis morfológico y morfométrico de semiarcadas dentarias de perro doméstico (Canis familiaris) con fines médico legal. Para ello se obtuvieron modelos dentarios en yeso e impresiones de huellas de mordedura en cera de tres razas puras: Bóxer, Dálmata y Ovejero Alemán. Las mediciones contemplaron la distancia máxima externa entre caninos superiores e inferiores y la distancia máxima externa entre incisivos superiores e inferiores. Los principales resultados muestran que sólo la distancia máxima entre caninos superiores permitiría identificar la raza en forma estadísticamente significativa (p0,05) en los modelos de yeso. En el estudio ciego y desde el punto de vista morfométrico se identificaron especialmente los Dálmata con un alto grado de sensibilidad y especificidad. Un poco menor y en forma variable se observó en Bóxer y Ovejero Alemán. El estudio morfológico permitió identificar e individualizar al 100 por ciento de los perros. Por tanto los métodos morfométricos y morfológicos son herramientas complementarias para identificar e individualizar a un posible perro agresor.
Forensic dentistry is a branch of Forensic Sciences used to establish the identity of a crime victim or perpetrator, among these studies are bite marks and dental chronological age studies. In the absence of such studies in Chile and considering the widespread problem of dog bites in Chile, bite patterns were compared according to skull shape, by morphological and morphometric analysis of dental semi arcs of domestic dog (Canis Familiaris) for medico legal purposes. Plaster dental models and impressions of bite marks were obtained of three pure breeds: Boxer, Dalmatian and German shepherd. Measures included he maximum external distance between upper and lower canine, and maximum external distance between upper and lower incisors. Main results show that only the maximum distance between upper canine would allow statistically significant race identification, (p0.05) in cast models. In a blind study and from a morphometric point of view, Dalmatians were identified with a high rate of sensitivity and specificity. A somewhat lesser and variable form was observed in Boxer and German Shepherd. The morphological study allowed identification and individualization of 100 percent of dogs. Therefore, both morphological and morphometric methods are useful and complementary tools to identify and individualize a potentially aggressive dog.
