Page 122 of Fifty-Fifty

‘Could be.’

‘Given that your measurements were taken to fractions of a millimeter, it’s entirely possible that the cuts you measured were widened during the process of the body being moved.’

‘It’s possible. Anything is possible.’

‘When you examined the victim, rigor mortis would be present, which tightens the skin and would widen any puncture wounds, correct?’

‘I suppose.’

‘One of those odontology organizations I mentioned states that no accurate bite-mark comparison can be made when a body has undergone rigor mortis, or

it has been moved, isn’t that correct?’

‘I feel like I’m repeating myself, ma’am. I already told you I don’t ascribe to those methods.’

‘Isn’t that half the problem with bite-mark comparison, Mr. Baumann? There is no accepted standard of comparison?’

‘I don’t believe so. The accuracy of the comparison is down to my expertise.’

Kate took a moment to stop and think. She was at the point where things could all go very wrong from here on in. She could stop, use what answers she had already gained, or throw everything at Baumann. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Bloch. Her hands cradled below her chin. Bloch closed her eyes, and nodded.

Go for it.

‘Mr. Baumann, there is no bite-mark database in the United States, is there?’

‘Not to my knowledge.’

‘So you cannot compare the bite marks on the victim to any other set of teeth other than the two master casts in this case?’

‘Why would I want to compare the bite marks to every person in New York? I can see and measure the similarities. I don’t need to compare it to the general population.’

‘We all have the same type of anterior teeth, bar losing or damaging a tooth, correct?’

‘That’s true. There are central and lateral incisors, and canines. A set of two of each, on the maxillary and mandibular arches. That’s twelve individual teeth. I examined each one and compared them to the bite mark. The odds of someone

having the same distance measurements between each individual tooth … well I

couldn’t even calculate those odds, they’re so high.’

‘The purpose of general dentistry is to keep teeth and gums healthy, and ensure uniformity, correct?’

Baumann’s face began to redden. This quickly spread to his scalp, making him look like an angry tomato. Still no answer came.

‘Uniformity is not always the goal.’

‘It is when someone has had braces applied to their teeth, isn’t it?’

He growled, ‘That’s right.’

‘Your statement that the odds of a member of the general population making the same bite mark as Alexandra Avellino is based on the probability that the position of each individual tooth is unique in relation to the other teeth?’

‘It has to be.’

‘Not if, like Alexandra Avellino, you wore a brace for twelve months to alter the position of your teeth. To make them more uniform in appearance.’

‘I was not aware she had worn a brace.’

‘Does that alter your findings?’