Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine

A human teeth bite mark as a peri-mortem resuscitative artefact has never been reported in the literature. Such an artefact could appear similar to ante-mortem teeth bite marks which can potentially mislead the law enforcing agency and the autopsy surgeon. We present a case of 46 year old female bar dancer who was found hanging in her room. On examination of dead body two human bite marks, one on the right cheek and the other on the right forearm were present on her body. Some erythematous abrasion-like lesions on both cheeks, a bruise over lower lip and a small abrasion over neck were also seen. The investigating agency initially suspected possibility of homicide after sexual assault followed by post-mortem hanging from ceiling. However on crime scene examination and detailed discussion with relations of deceased, it was revealed that deceased mother-in-law had bitten on her cheek and arm to give her pain stimuli, in an attempt to revive her, after the deceased body was brought down from ceiling. This case report would enlighten the forensic medicine experts and investigating authorities about possibility of such rare artefacts.