SEM and stereomicroscopic analysis of cut marks in fresh and burned bone

Kooi, Rebecca J.; Fairgrieve, Scott I.

Affiliations

¹Department of Forensic Science, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada

²Founding Chair, Department of Forensic Science, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada

Abstract and keywords

This study documents the prevalence of cut mark characteristics in fresh and burned domestic pig ribs. Stab wounds from single edge serrated and smooth-edged knives were inflicted in the vertebral and sternal regions of each fresh rib. Each rack of ribs was then divided into vertebral and sternal units. Vertebral units were defleshed and their associated cut marks were examined using a stereomicroscope. Sternal units were burned in an outdoor fire pit and examined with the addition of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Linear cuts, V-shaped cross-sections, mounding, hinge fractures, and wastage were all observed on burned ribs. There was an overall decrease in the prevalence of all features (up to a 40% decrease), regardless of knife type, in burned ribs. Striations within cut marks were not observed in either fresh or burned ribs. Oblique faulting and bone lifts could only be observed using the SEM. Mounding and wastage were obliterated during the burning process. Therefore, cut marks in burned bone should ideally be examined for their characteristics utilizing an SEM.

Keywords: forensic science; forensic anthropology; sharp force trauma; stab wounds; cremains; burned bones; stereomicroscope; scanning electron microscopy

Links

DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12050

PubMed: 23278902

WoS: 000316576000022

Cited Works (8)

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Cited By (3)

Year	Entry
2018	Norman DG, Watson DG, Burnett B, Fenne PM, Williams MA. The cutting edge: micro-CT for quantitative toolmark analysis of sharp force trauma to bone. Forensic Sci Int. February 2018;283:156-172.
2018	Komo L, Grassberger M. Experimental sharp force injuries to ribs: multimodal morphological and geometric morphometric analyses using micro-CT, macro photography and SEM. Forensic Sci Int. July 2018;288:189-200.
2021	Waltenberger L, Beitel S, Benecker B, Heimel P, Weninger W, Kanz F. A histological comparison of non-human rib models suited for sharp force trauma analysis. Forensic Sci Int. February 2021;319:110661.