ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 5

Bone Fragments a Body Can Make
Ross, LM
Senior electron microscope specialist, University of Missouri, MO

Stout, SD
Professor, University of Missouri, MO

(Received 14 April 1990; accepted 10 June 1990)

Abstract

Data obtained from various analytical techniques applied to a number of small bone fragments recovered from a crime scene were used to provide evidence for the occurrence of a fatality. Microscopic and histomorphometric analyses confirmed that the fragments were from a human skull. X-ray microanalysis of darkened areas on the bone fragments revealed a chemical signature that matched the chemical signature of a shotgun pellet recovered at the scene of the crime. The above findings supported the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fingerprint evidence which, along with other evidence, was used to convict a man for the murder of his wife, even though her body was never recovered.

Keywords:
physical anthropology, criminalistics, bone fragments, homicide

Paper ID: JFS13110J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13110J
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