Precision of 3D laser scanner in assimilation of experimental bite marks in chocolate

Aims: To analyze the accuracy of a three-dimensional (3D) laser scanner-GOM® (Gesellschaft für Optische; Messtechnik, Braunschweig Germany) model-ATOS triple II optical Scanner (Advanced topometric Sensor) in examination and identification of experimental bite marks (BM) in chocolate using Styrofoam exemplar (SE). Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with 25 volunteers from whom the dental cast exemplar (CE), SE, and experimental BMs in chocolate, were made. These were then digitized using the GOM® ATOS optical scanner and 3D models were generated using GOM® ATOS software. Data analysis was performed using independent t-test for inferential statistics. Results: On 3D analysis, the experimental BM matched with the presumed biters correctly using both SE and CE. The mean percentage matching of BM vs SE was found to be 92.55 ± 1.757, and in BM vs CE, the mean matching percentage was found to be 96.09 ± 1.311. Statistical analysis of the data was obtained using independent t-test, and the mean difference in percentage matching was significant (P < 0.05) Conclusion: Three-dimensional BM analysis using 3D optical scanner proved to be a reliable, accurate, and permanent method of documentation compared to the conventional two-dimensional methods.