Volume 58, Issue 5 pp. 1119-1126

Paper

Microscopic Analysis of Sharp Force Trauma in Bone and Cartilage: A Validation Study^†^,^‡^,^§

Christian Crowder Ph.D.,

Corresponding Author

Christian Crowder Ph.D.

Department of Pathology, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, 520 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016

Additional information and reprint requests:

Christian Crowder, Ph.D.

Department of Pathology

New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner

520 First Avenue

New York, NY 10016

E-mail: [email protected]

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Christopher W. Rainwater M.S.,

Christopher W. Rainwater M.S.

Department of Pathology, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, 520 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016

Department of Anthropology, Center for the Study of Human Origins, New York University, 25 Waverly Place, New York, NY, 10003

New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY

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Jeannette S. Fridie M.A.,

Jeannette S. Fridie M.A.

Department of Pathology, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, 520 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016

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Christian Crowder Ph.D.,

Corresponding Author

Christian Crowder Ph.D.

Department of Pathology, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, 520 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016

Additional information and reprint requests:

Christian Crowder, Ph.D.

Department of Pathology

New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner

520 First Avenue

New York, NY 10016

E-mail: [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author

Christopher W. Rainwater M.S.,

Christopher W. Rainwater M.S.

Department of Pathology, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, 520 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016

Department of Anthropology, Center for the Study of Human Origins, New York University, 25 Waverly Place, New York, NY, 10003

New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology, New York, NY

Search for more papers by this author

Jeannette S. Fridie M.A.,

Jeannette S. Fridie M.A.

Department of Pathology, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, 520 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016

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First published: 18 July 2013

https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.12180

Citations: 53

^†

Presented at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 21–26, 2011, Chicago, IL.

^‡

Funded by Award No. 2009-DN-BX-K238, National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, US Department of Justice.

^§

The research presented in this manuscript was not conducted under the auspice of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner–New York City (OCME-NYC). The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not reflect the opinions of the OCME-NYC.

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Abstract

Sharp force trauma research lacks agreement on reported error rates for correctly identifying toolmark characteristics on bone and cartilage. This study provides error rates for determining blade class (serrated, partially serrated, nonserrated) and type of edge bevel (left, right, even). Three analysts examined cuts to a wax medium, cartilage, and bone using two types of microscopes. Additionally, the observers examined impressions taken from the wax medium and the cartilage. Overall, a total of 504 observations were performed. Serrated blades were distinguishable from nonserrated blades due to their patterned striations. Some difficulties were encountered in distinguishing serrated and partially serrated blades; however, when these groups were considered together as one classification type (serrated), classification accuracy improved from 79% to 96%. Classification accuracy for edge bevel was 65%. Error rates were similar when comparing direct observation of the cut marks versus indirect observation (impressions). Additionally, the type of microscope used did not affect error rates.

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Microscopic Analysis of Sharp Force Trauma in Bone and Cartilage: A Validation Study^†^,^‡^,^§

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Microscopic Analysis of Sharp Force Trauma in Bone and Cartilage: A Validation Study^†^,^‡^,^§