Microscopic analysis of sharp force trauma in bone and cartilage:​ a validation study

Crowder, Christian; Rainwater, Christopher W.; Fridie, Jeannette S.

Affiliations

¹Department of Pathology, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, 520 First Avenue, New York, NY

²Department of Anthropology, Center for the Study of Human Origins, New York University, 25 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10003

³New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY

Abstract and keywords

Sharp force trauma research lacks agreement on reported error rates for correctly identifying toolmark characteristics on bone and cartilage. This study provides error rates for determining blade class (serrated, partially serrated, nonserrated) and type of edge bevel (left, right, even). Three analysts examined cuts to a wax medium, cartilage, and bone using two types of microscopes. Additionally, the observers examined impressions taken from the wax medium and the cartilage. Overall, a total of 504 observations were performed. Serrated blades were distinguishable from nonserrated blades due to their patterned striations. Some difficulties were encountered in distinguishing serrated and partially serrated blades; however, when these groups were considered together as one classification type (serrated), classification accuracy improved from 79% to 96%. Classification accuracy for edge bevel was 65%. Error rates were similar when comparing direct observation of the cut marks versus indirect observation (impressions). Additionally, the type of microscope used did not affect error rates.

Keywords: forensic science, forensic anthropology, sharp force trauma, knife wound, stab wound, toolmarks, striations

Links

DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.12180

PubMed: 23865497

WoS: 000323894200001

History

Received: 201-03-16

Revised: 2012-07-18

Accepted: 2012-07-29

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Cited By (5)

Year	Entry
2016	Humphrey C, Kumaratilake J, Henneberg M. A stab in the dark: design and construction of a novel device for conducting incised knife trauma investigations and its initial test. Forensic Sci Int. May 2016;262:276-281.
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.
2019	Love JC. Sharp force trauma analysis in bone and cartilage: a literature review. Forensic Sci Int. June 2019;299:119-127.
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.
2017	Humphrey C, Kumaratilake J, Henneberg M. Characteristics of bone injuries resulting from knife wounds incised with different forces. J Forensic Sci. November 2017;62(6):1445-1451.