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‘I am a forensic odontologist, a fellow at the University of Texas, San Antonio, and a member of the American Society for Forensic Dentistry and Bite

Comparison Odontology. I have been examining bite marks for over thirty-five

years, and providing expert testimony in more than fifteen states across the US,’ said Baumann, with a strong Texan lick to every syllable. Odontology came out Baumann’s mouth as O—don—tology, as if the word were too long to be said in that accent, and required considerable effort to spit it out.

‘Did you carry out an examination of the bite marks on the victim?’ asked Dreyer.

‘I did. The medical examiner found what looked to her to be a single bite mark on the victim’s left breast area. There are seven different types of bite mark. The particular type I identified is known as an incision bite. This is a skin puncture, made with the teeth. This was not an avulsion bite as no skin was removed. Nor was it an artifact bite, where flesh is removed. This was a simple puncture wound. I was able to identify eight punctures, in an oval pattern, which correspond with anterior teeth marks.’

At this point, Baumann pointed at the screen opposite, and Dreyer’s assistant pressed a button on a remote, bringing up a full-color image for the benefit of the jury.

‘I took this photograph during my examination of the victim. As you can see, this is a life-sized close-up of the bite. It’s oval in shape, and the puncture wounds are clearly defined. There is some hemorrhaging beneath the skin, caused when the teeth closed around the flesh, pinching it in the bite.’

‘How did you carry out your analysis of this bite?’

‘I took measurements from the bite marks, and then, from the life-sized photograph, I compared those measurements to make sure they matched. Then I

was provided with dental impressions of the two defendants in this case. From those impressions I made two master casts, and carried out my analysis on those casts in comparison to the bite marks.’

‘How can you be sure the casts are an accurate representation?’

‘The casts are perfect. The mold is the same used in all orthodontic practice.

It’s very accurate.’

‘Once you had the casts, what did you do then?’ asked Dreyer.

‘I carried out measurements, and bite simulations using both casts. I measured canine to canine distance, incisor width, and rotational angles of the incisors.

Comparing the measurements on acetate to the life-sized photograph provided a

match from one master cast. The simulated bite from that same master cast also

produced a simulated bite which precisely matched the bite pattern on the victim.’

‘Which master cast was this?’

‘Master cast two. This was the cast taken from Alexandra Avellino.’

‘From your tests and analysis, what is your conclusion, if any, regarding your investigation and comparison of the bites and the teeth of the defendants?’

Baumann cleared his throat, leaned forward, and said, ‘The defendant Alexandra Avellino bit her father on the chest with enough force to break his skin. That’s my conclusion.’

The jury, who had sat silently listening to Baumann’s soft, southern gentleman tones, now looked to Alexandra. Some of them with disgust, a few with disappointment.

‘Nothing further. Miss Brooks may have some questions, so please remain seated, Mr. Baumann.’

FORTY-THREE

KATE

Abandoning her notes, Kate stood and moved around the defense table so she could be closer to Baumann. His eyebrows knitted together, but he retained a genteel smile. It was a condescending look.

‘Mr. Baumann, you said that you are a member of the American Society for Forensic Dentistry and Bite Comparison Odontology?’

‘I did indeed, ma’am.’

‘There are at least three other organizations in the United States whose members practice forensic odontology. The Bureau of Legal Dentistry, The American Board of Forensic Odontology, and the International Organization for