What is a key characteristic of defensive bite marks?

A key characteristic of defensive bite marks is that they tend to appear chaotic and poorly defined. This is primarily because defensive bite marks occur when an individual is attempting to fend off an attack, resulting in an uncontrolled biting reaction that may not leave a clean or precise imprint. This often leads to irregular patterns, varying depths, and smudged edges, making the bite marks less distinct than other types that might result from intentional biting.

In contrast to this characteristic, bite marks that are intentional or from aggressive actions often display more clarity and detail, leading to a more precise and detailed imprint. Therefore, while defensive bite marks may be present in a chaotic manner, those caused by deliberate actions or inflicting pain are more likely to be well-defined and consistent.