ISSN: 0022-1198
Published Online: 25 May 2005
Page Count: 6

Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis of Experimental Bone Hacking Trauma
Quatrehomme, G
Faculté de Médecine. Laboratoire de Médecine Légale et Anthropologie médico-légale,

Laugier, J-P
Centre commun de Microscopie Appliquée,

Lupi-Peégurier, L
Laboratoire d'analyse des surfaces et interfaces en odontologie. Faculté de chirurgie dentaire,

Bertrand, M-F
Laboratoire d'analyse des surfaces et interfaces en odontologie. Faculté de chirurgie dentaire,

Bolla, M
Laboratoire d'analyse des surfaces et interfaces en odontologie. Faculté de chirurgie dentaire,

Muller-Bolla, M
Laboratoire d'analyse des surfaces et interfaces en odontologie. Faculté de chirurgie dentaire,

Staccini, P
InformatiqueMédicale et Technologies de Communication—Faculté de Médecine de Nice,

Alunni-Perret, V
Faculté de Médecine. Laboratoire de Médecine Légale et Anthropologie médico-légale,

(Received 21 June 2003; accepted 5 March 2005)

Abstract

The authors report on their macro- and microscopy study of bone lesions made by a sharp force instrument (a single blade knife), and a sharp-blunt instrument classified as a chopping weapon (a hatchet). The aim of this work was to attempt to identify the instrument by analyzing the general class characteristics of the cuts. Each weapon was used on human bones. The results indicate that macroscopic analysis is more problematic. The microscopic analysis assessed that characteristics examined were effective in distinguishing sharp from sharp-blunt injury to the bone. The microscope facilitates analysis unachievable with macroscopic methods, some three-dimensional characteristics not visible to the naked eye being clearly defined with its use. Emphasis has been placed on the value of SEM as an anthropologist's tool in bone lesion injuries.

Keywords:
forensic science, forensic anthropology, bone trauma, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), implements, cut marks, tool marks

Paper ID: JFS2003213
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2003213
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.