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Micro-CT for saw mark analysis on human bone
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Norman, D. G., Baier, W., Watson, Derrick G., Burnett, B., Painter, M. and Williams, M. A. (2018) Micro-CT for saw mark analysis on human bone. Forensic Science International, 293 . pp. 91-100. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.10.027 ISSN 0379-0738.
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WRAP-micro-CT-for-saw-mark-analysis-on-human-bone-Norman-2018.pdf - Accepted Version - Requires a PDF viewer. Download (2581Kb) | Preview |
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.10.027
Abstract
In toolmark analysis, microscopy techniques, such as micro-CT, are used to visualise and measure toolmarks left on bones by a tool. In dismemberment cases, properties such as the width of the saw mark can provide cues to which tool was used by the culprit. The aim of the current study was to establish whether; (i) micro-CT is an appropriate imaging technique for saw mark analysis, (ii) toolmarks statistically differ when created with different tools, (iii) toolmark width can predict tool blade width, and (iv) toolmarks differ if created under different methodological conditions. Across two experiments, 270 saw marks were created using eight tools with either a controlled or free saw action on either fleshed or defleshed human long bone. Toolmarks were micro-CT scanned and seven toolmark properties were categorised or measured by two independent raters. The current study found that; (i) micro-CT was found to be a powerful and reliable imaging method for the visualisation and measurement of saw mark properties, (ii) toolmark properties differed significantly within and between various methodological conditions (p < .001) when created by eight different tools, (iii) a regression model developed using toolmark widths from Experiment 2 overall predicted 94% of tool widths in Experiment 1, and iv) methodological factors such as tissue presence and saw action significantly and inconsistently influenced toolmark properties for different tools. The study further validates the use of mirco-CT for saw mark analysis and demonstrates the potential of using toolmark properties to determine the tool used in cases of dismemberment. Given the effects that methodological factors such as tissue presence can have on toolmark properties, future studies should use experimental set ups with fleshed human tissue and use a free saw action
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||||||
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Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology Q Science > QM Human anatomy R Medicine > RD Surgery |
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Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Psychology Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Engineering > WMG (Formerly the Warwick Manufacturing Group) |
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Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Bone saws (Surgery), Bones -- Analysis, Dismemberment | ||||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | Forensic Science International | ||||||||
Publisher: | Elsevier Science BV | ||||||||
ISSN: | 0379-0738 | ||||||||
Official Date: | December 2018 | ||||||||
Dates: |
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Volume: | 293 | ||||||||
Page Range: | pp. 91-100 | ||||||||
DOI: | 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.10.027 | ||||||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||||||
Access rights to Published version: | Restricted or Subscription Access | ||||||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 9 November 2018 | ||||||||
Date of first compliant Open Access: | 3 November 2019 |
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