Berry's index: Adjuvant to bite marks

INTRODUCTION: Bite-mark analysis has proven its advantage as an important forensic tool in the past but also has a few limitations to it. To enhance its utility in forensic odontology in this study we have coupled it with Berry's Index (BI) which is an index used to select anterior teeth in prosthetic practice. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study was attempted to analyze the applicability of BI in identifying an individual. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was directed among 300 individuals with ages ranging between 19 and 30 years. The study conducted at Institute of Dental Studies and Technology College, Kadrabad, Modinagar, Ghaziabad. Out of the total population studied, 149 were males and 151 were females. The analysis of the data obtained was done using SPSS version 19. RESULTS: The results in our study indicated that the widths of both maxillary central incisors and the bizygomatic width were found to be higher in females when compared to males. A positive correlation was observed between both the widths of upper central incisors and the bizygomatic width. CONCLUSION: BI could be successfully used as an adjuvant to bite analysis and could be an aid in determining the facial proportions of an individual from the width of the central incisors. This could further be correlated with the forensic facial reconstruction.