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Bernardi C, Nogueira L, Amoretti N, Carle GF, Alunni V. Comparison of false starts by saw created on flesh and dry bones; as close as possible to the real conditions of criminal dismemberment. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:2157-2167. [PMID: 38763927 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03256-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
In most experimental protocols, false starts are produced on dry bones obtained through a maceration process for anthropological analyses, for the sake of reproducibility. Although this allows for controlled experimental conditions, the absence of soft parts when experimentally creating false starts does not correspond to the real conditions of criminal dismemberment. The main objective of this study was to determine if the results of experimental work on the characteristics of false starts were valid under medico-legal conditions. In this experimental study, a hand saw (rip saw, wavy set, TPI 32) was used. 240 false starts were produced on human and pig bones. Randomly, the false starts were either produced on a dry bone or on a flesh bone. The criteria for microscopic analysis included the shape of the walls, the shape and visibility of striae on the floor, the shape of the profile, and the minimum width of the false start. On human bone, 100% of the false starts produced on a bone that had previously undergone a maceration process for anthropological analyses (dry bone) allowed the definition of all the blade characteristics. This was the case for 78.3% on bone in the presence of soft tissue (flesh bone). The striae on the floor of the false start are in some cases less visible with flesh bones, implying that it may be more difficult to conclude on the characteristics of a saw under medico-legal conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Bernardi
- Faculté de Médecine, Institut Universitaire d'Anthropologie Médico-Légale, Université Côte d'Azur, 28 Avenue de Valombrose, Nice cedex 2, 06107, France.
- UMR E4320 TIRO-MATOs CEA/DRF/Institut Joliot, Université Nice Sophia- Antipolis, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.
| | - Luísa Nogueira
- Faculté de Médecine, Institut Universitaire d'Anthropologie Médico-Légale, Université Côte d'Azur, 28 Avenue de Valombrose, Nice cedex 2, 06107, France
| | - Nicolas Amoretti
- Service de Radiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Hôpital Pasteur 2, 30 Voie Romaine, Nice, 06000, France
- Laboratoire de Médecine Moléculaire, FRE CNRS 3472 Nice. iBV, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Université Côte d'Azur UMR7277 CNRS - UMR1091 INSERM, Nice, France
| | - Georges F Carle
- UMR E4320 TIRO-MATOs CEA/DRF/Institut Joliot, Université Nice Sophia- Antipolis, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Véronique Alunni
- Faculté de Médecine, Institut Universitaire d'Anthropologie Médico-Légale, Université Côte d'Azur, 28 Avenue de Valombrose, Nice cedex 2, 06107, France
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Dupouy DLM, Bolton MS, Berry TP, Raymond J, Meakin GE. Saw marks in bone: A preliminary empirical study to inform decision making and best practice. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 353:111857. [PMID: 37871432 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Forensic toolmark examiners compare marks between those observed on an item/surface and those made by a reference implement, such as a particular tool or weapon, to provide an opinion of the likelihood of common origin. It is widely accepted that such comparison opinions need to be underpinned by empirical research, and this study aimed to add to the knowledge base relied upon when developing and comparing saw marks in bone, a substrate encountered in body dismemberment cases. Porcine bones were used as a human proxy; they were either fresh with residual soft tissue and bodily fluids present ('wet') to replicate dismembered bones shortly post-mortem, or processed to remove soft tissue and moisture content ('dry') to represent cases of dismemberment after an extended period of decomposition and exposure. The bones were cut using one implement of each of five classes: hand saw, mitre saw, reciprocating saw, oscillating saw, and serrated knife. They were cut, either completely through (except for serrated knife), giving two surfaces per cut to examine, or to a depth up to 3 mm (false starts). Five replicates per combination of bone condition, saw, and cut type gave 130 bone samples. These were then cleaned and cast using Isomark Silicone Polymer Compound or Mikrosil, giving 260 cast samples. All bone and cast samples were photographed, examined for various class characteristic markers, and specific markers measured. No significant differences between Isomark and Mikrosil casts were observed when compared side-by-side, demonstrating suitability of both materials for casting of saw marks on bone. Although saw marks presented more class characteristic markers on dry than wet bones, calculations of tooth distances and measurements of kerf width (KW) from marks did not significantly differ between bone conditions, with exception of the reciprocating saw that produced false start marks with significantly larger minimum KW on wet than dry samples. Further analysis supported that tooth distances on marks made by hand and oscillating saws are sufficiently accurate for the determination of saw teeth per inch (TPI). However, one tooth distance on marks made by reciprocating saws did not accurately represent TPI. Finally, examination of presence or absence of class characteristic markers on each saw mark demonstrated consistent variation between saw classes. These results enabled the development of exclusion-based decision trees, and a reference database (available on request), for use by toolmark examiners in their evaluation of saw types based on class characteristic markers observed in cut bone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L M Dupouy
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Matthew S Bolton
- Australian Federal Police, Forensics, Operational Science & Technology, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Timothy P Berry
- NSW Police Force, Ballistics Investigation Section, Identification Services Branch, Forensic Evidence & Technical Services Command, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Jennifer Raymond
- NSW Police Force, Science & Research Unit, Forensic Evidence & Technical Services Command, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Georgina E Meakin
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia; Centre for the Forensic Sciences, Department of Security and Crime Science, University College London, 35 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EZ, UK.
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Bernardi C, Nogueira L, Carle GF, Alunni V, Quatrehomme G. Comparison of microscopic features of bone false starts produced by reciprocating saw blades and handsaws of the same class. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2022; 59:102152. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2022.102152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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Bernardi C, Nogueira L, Orange F, Carle GF, Alunni V, Quatrehomme G. The stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope comparison of false starts bones produced by an oscillating autopsy saw. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 324:110816. [PMID: 34030001 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
In forensic anthropology, saw mark analysis plays an important role in cases of criminal dismemberment. Autopsy saw is not used by the perpetrator in cases of dismemberment, but the forensic pathologist may accidentally create false starts with this saw during an autopsy, especially while sampling bones for further analysis, and these autopsy false starts can be confused with false starts produced by the offender. In this study, the characteristics of 20 false starts were compared using stereomicroscopy (SM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These bone false starts were selected at random from a previous study of 100 false starts created by an electrical oscillating autopsy saw on human femoral bones. That study had enabled the categorization of the lesions into two groups ("superficial group" and "deep group") with a 0.52 mm depth cut off, based on the dramatic differences in lesion characteristics between these two groups. In the current study, SEM confirmed the characteristics of the false starts (walls and profile shapes, striae, bone islands and bone debris were studied), and above all explained the mechanism whereby oval bone islands in deep lesions are formed. Bone islands are due to the horizontal and vertical movement of the oscillating autopsy blade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Bernardi
- Institut Universitaire d'Anthropologie Médico-Légale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Côte d'Azur, 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107 Nice Cedex 2, France; CEPAM (UMR CNRS 7264), 24 Av. des Diables Bleus, 06300 Nice, France.
| | - Luísa Nogueira
- Institut Universitaire d'Anthropologie Médico-Légale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Côte d'Azur, 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107 Nice Cedex 2, France
| | - François Orange
- Centre Commun de Microscopie Appliquée (CCMA), Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, Parc Valrose, 28 Avenue Valrose, 06108 Nice Cedex 2, France
| | - Georges F Carle
- UMR E4320 TIRO-MATOs CEA/DRF/Institut Joliot, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Véronique Alunni
- Institut Universitaire d'Anthropologie Médico-Légale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Côte d'Azur, 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107 Nice Cedex 2, France; CEPAM (UMR CNRS 7264), 24 Av. des Diables Bleus, 06300 Nice, France
| | - Gérald Quatrehomme
- Institut Universitaire d'Anthropologie Médico-Légale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Côte d'Azur, 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107 Nice Cedex 2, France; CEPAM (UMR CNRS 7264), 24 Av. des Diables Bleus, 06300 Nice, France
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Martlin B, Rando C. An assessment of the reliability of cut surface characteristics to distinguish between hand-powered reciprocating saw blades in cases of experimental dismemberment. J Forensic Sci 2020; 66:444-455. [PMID: 33227145 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Criminal dismemberment is most commonly committed with a variety of hand-powered saws. These saws leave characteristic marks upon the bone that can assist in the identification of the weapon utilized. The current study provides frequencies of presentation of ten cut surface characteristics and examines intra- and interindividual variation between three hand-powered reciprocating saws. Pig radii were used as a proxy for human remains. 42 cut surfaces were created with three hand-powered reciprocating saws by the same researcher. Cut surface characteristics were assessed macroscopically, microscopically and with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), as well as photographed with Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI). Cut surface polish is the only characteristic that demonstrates consistently significant difference between saws. Five characteristics demonstrate some variation between blades: entrance shaving, breakaway spurs, breakaway notches, pull-out striae, and tooth hop. Four characteristics demonstrate no difference between blades: cut surface striation shape, cut surface striation regularity, harmonics, and exit chipping. Tooth hop is the most reliable characteristic for differentiating between blades in this study, while pull-out striae demonstrates high intra-individual variability and a low frequency of presentation making it unreliable for differentiating between saw blades. Cut surface striations, exit chipping, and breakaway spurs occurred with the highest frequencies and were reliable for determining direction of blade progress and blade stroke, but were not reliable for differentiating between saw blades. Harmonics were absent. Further research is necessary to create large databases of known saw mark examples with known intra- and interindividual variability rates and error rates.
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Menschel M, Pokines JT, Reinecke G. Correlation between saw blade width and kerf width. J Forensic Sci 2020; 66:25-43. [PMID: 32956530 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Most studies of saw marks have focused on morphological characteristics and their utility in identifying saws suspected to have been utilized in cases of criminal dismemberment. The present study examined the extent to which metric analysis may be used to correlate saw blade measurements with minimum kerf widths (MKWs). A sample of 56 partially defleshed white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) long bones was utilized as proxy for human remains. The long bones were cut using a variety of commercially available saws, including 11 manual-powered and 5 mechanical-powered saws. A total of 496 false start kerfs (FSKs) were created. Two experiments were performed, with the first test examining the MKWs of FSKs produced on specimens that were restrained using a bench vise, while the second test analyzed the MKWs of FSKs produced on minimally restrained specimens. Statistical analysis using Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) indicated a positive relationship between saw blade width (mm) and MKW, with blade width (p < 0.001) and the overall difference between the mechanical- and manual-powered saws (p = 0.029) tested, reaching statistical significance. A comparison of MKWs produced using manual-powered saws on restrained and minimally restrained bones suggests that restraint condition (p = 0.009) has a statistically significant effect. In comparisons of MKWs to blade widths, the average ratio for mechanical-powered saws is 18.7% greater than the average ratio for manual-powered saws. While the mode of the ratios was 1.42, thus supporting the general rule that MKW does not exceed 1.5 times blade width, multiple individual ratios did surpass 1.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Menschel
- Forensic Anthropology Program, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James T Pokines
- Forensic Anthropology Program, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Massachusetts Office of Chief Medical Examiner, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gary Reinecke
- Forensic Anthropology Program, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Baiker-Sørensen M, Herlaar K, Keereweer I, Pauw-Vugts P, Visser R. Interpol review of shoe and tool marks 2016-2019. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2020; 2:521-539. [PMID: 33385145 PMCID: PMC7770457 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2020.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in shoe and tool mark examination from 2016 to 2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol%20Review%20Papers%202019.pdf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Baiker-Sørensen
- Section of Firearms and Tools, Division of Chemical and Physical Traces, Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI), Laan van Ypenburg 6, 2497GB, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Koen Herlaar
- Section of Firearms and Tools, Division of Chemical and Physical Traces, Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI), Laan van Ypenburg 6, 2497GB, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Isaac Keereweer
- Section of Firearms and Tools, Division of Chemical and Physical Traces, Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI), Laan van Ypenburg 6, 2497GB, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Petra Pauw-Vugts
- Section of Firearms and Tools, Division of Chemical and Physical Traces, Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI), Laan van Ypenburg 6, 2497GB, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Richard Visser
- Section of Firearms and Tools, Division of Chemical and Physical Traces, Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI), Laan van Ypenburg 6, 2497GB, The Hague, the Netherlands
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Bernardi C, Nogueira L, Cabusat-Mailliet C, Carle G, Alunni V, Quatrehomme G. Analysis of false starts lesions on human bones produced by two hand saws with high TPI. Int J Legal Med 2020; 134:613-618. [PMID: 31965235 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-020-02251-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Cases of criminal dismemberment are encountered in forensic pathology and forensic anthropology. Saw mark analysis aims to determine the type of saw that was used: hand saw versus electrical saw, crosscut and universal saw versus rip saw, size of the teeth ("teeth per inch" TPI), and set type. The goal of this study was to analyze using a stereomicroscope a series of 60 experimental false starts (30 lesions for each saw) produced on human bones by two different handsaws with a high TPI (15 and 32). The lesions caused by these high TPI saws have rarely been described in the forensic literature. Saw 2 (rip hacksaw with a 32 TPI and a wavy set) displayed classical features. In contrast, saw 1 (universal panel saw, TPI 15, alternating set) did not produce the expected characteristics: the minimum width of the kerf was weak, the kerf walls were straight, the striae were straight, and the kerf profile was very peculiar with a succession of peaks and dips that has not yet been described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Bernardi
- Institut Universitaire d'Anthropologie Médico-Légale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Côte d'Azur, 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107, Nice Cedex 2, France.
- UMR E4320 TIRO-MATOs CEA/DRF/BIAM, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.
| | - Luísa Nogueira
- Institut Universitaire d'Anthropologie Médico-Légale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Côte d'Azur, 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107, Nice Cedex 2, France
| | - Coraline Cabusat-Mailliet
- Institut Universitaire d'Anthropologie Médico-Légale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Côte d'Azur, 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107, Nice Cedex 2, France
| | - Georges Carle
- UMR E4320 TIRO-MATOs CEA/DRF/BIAM, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Véronique Alunni
- Institut Universitaire d'Anthropologie Médico-Légale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Côte d'Azur, 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107, Nice Cedex 2, France
- CEPAM (UMR CNRS 7264), 24 avenue des Diables Bleus, 06300, Nice, France
| | - Gérald Quatrehomme
- Institut Universitaire d'Anthropologie Médico-Légale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Côte d'Azur, 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107, Nice Cedex 2, France
- CEPAM (UMR CNRS 7264), 24 avenue des Diables Bleus, 06300, Nice, France
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Love JC. Sharp force trauma analysis in bone and cartilage: A literature review. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 299:119-127. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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