Identifying Sharp-Force Trauma-Serrated vs. Non-Serrated Blades
Item
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Title
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Identifying Sharp-Force Trauma-Serrated vs. Non-Serrated Blades
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Author
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Martha Kools
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Taylor Maddox
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Carlos Sanchez
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Date
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26 May 2016
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Type
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Text; Image; StillImage
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Identifier
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aes/68
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Language
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eng
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Abstract
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The purpose of this study is to determine the accuracy of techniques devised to identify characteristics of knives used to inflict damage on bone. According to the FBI’s Unified Crime Report, of the nearly 12,000 people murdered in 2014, over 1,500 were killed by sharp force trauma with cutting instruments. While much research has been dedicated towards understanding the different effects on bone caused by sharp and blunt force trauma, forensic anthropology is only beginning to differentiate between individual weapons. Currently, perimortem trauma associated with knives is understood to present as predominantly clean, linear puncture damage, rarely exhibiting radiating or concentric fractures; however, it has been observed that different types of knives create distinctive features. Thompson and Inglis (2009) found that fracture patterns from stab marks could indicate the use of either a serrated or non-serrated blade. To test this hypothesis, this study will measure stab wounds inflicted by a third party on the ribs of a domestic pig, and identify them as either serrated or non-serrated. An error rate will then be calculated to determine the overall precision of the technique.
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Description
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This presentation was delivered on May 26, 2016 at Western Oregon University Academic Excellence Showcase (Monmouth).
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Rights
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Western Oregon University Library has determined, as of 06/20/2018, this item is in copyright, which is held by the author(s). Users may use the item in accordance with copyright limitations and exceptions, including fair use. For other uses, please ask permission from the author(s).
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http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
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Faculty Sponsor
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Misty Weitzel
Powerpoint File