ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 6

Macroscopic Characteristics of Hacking Trauma
Hutchinson, DL
East Carolina University, NC

Humphrey, JH
North Carolina State University, NC

(Received 24 December 1999; accepted 6 March 2000)

Abstract

Hacking trauma is often encountered in forensic cases, but little experimental research has been conducted that would allow for the recognition of wounds caused by specific weapon types. In this paper, we report the results of a hacking trauma caused by machete, cleaver, and axe weapons and the characteristics of each weapon type on bone. Each weapon type was employed in multiple trials on pig (Sus scrofa) bones and then the wounds were examined macroscopically for several characteristics that serve to differentiate the weapons.

Keywords:
forensic science, forensic anthropology, sharpforce trauma, hacking trauma, cut marks, weapons, cleavers, axes, machetes, tools

Paper ID: JFS14954J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14954J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.