TY - JOUR T1 - Intercanine Distance as a Recognition Method of Bite Marks Induced at Cases of Child Abuse AU - Stavrianou, P. AU - Mihailidou, D. AU - Tatsis, D. AU - Stavrianos, C. AU - Mihail, G. AU - Karamouzi, A. JO - Research Journal of Biological Sciences VL - 6 IS - 1 SP - 25 EP - 29 PY - 2011 DA - 2001/08/19 SN - 1815-8846 DO - rjbsci.2011.25.29 UR - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjbsci.2011.25.29 KW - identification KW -bite mark KW -intercanine distance KW -sexual abuse KW -Child abuse KW -dentist AB - Now-a-days in the civilized societies, one of the most reprehensible and criminal actions is considered to be child abuse either it appears as physical or psychological violence. The clinician is the 1st to verify signs and symptoms that can lead in the diagnosis of an abused child. This happens because the most common form of abuse is bite mark which derives from physical, sexual abuse or even neglect. For this reason, the role of dentist is important to ascertain such a background through clinical examination. The aim of this study to highlight the clinical evidence that a dentist should take under consideration. The intercanine distance is a clinical factor that contributes in the early assessment of the proper identification of the assaulter since, the distance differs from one person to another and mostly from children to adults. Thus, the age of the perpetrator will be defined and the self-inflicted traumas will be excluded. In conclusion, a possible judicial process will be facilitated from the dentist’s deposition always with the pre-requisite of a full scientific acknowledge ER -