SEM and Stereomicroscopic Analysis of Cut Marks in Fresh and Burned Bone

Abstract

This study documents the prevalence of cut mark characteristics in fresh and burned domestic pig ribs. Stab wounds from single edge serrated and smooth-edged knives were inflicted in the vertebral and sternal regions of each fresh rib. Each rack of ribs was then divided into vertebral and sternal units. Vertebral units were defleshed and their associated cut marks were examined using a stereomicroscope. Sternal units were burned in an outdoor fire pit and examined with the addition of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Linear cuts, V-shaped cross-sections, mounding, hinge fractures, and wastage were all observed on burned ribs. There was an overall decrease in the prevalence of all features (up to a 40% decrease), regardless of knife type, in burned ribs. Striations within cut marks were not observed in either fresh or burned ribs. Oblique faulting and bone lifts could only be observed using the SEM. Mounding and wastage were obliterated during the burning process. Therefore, cut marks in burned bone should ideally be examined for their characteristics utilizing an SEM.

Scanning Electron Microscopy–Energy‐Dispersive X‐Ray (SEM/EDX): A Rapid Diagnostic Tool to Aid the Identification of Burnt Bone and Contested Cremains

“…Several researchers have used the SEM to investigate the visual changes undergone by bone when subjected to fire . Kooi and Fairgrieve took the investigations a step further by examining the effect of burning on the preservation of cut marks in bone. They found that, as can be expected, a number of factors such as the temperature, fuel, oxygen availability and the overall burning context play a significant role in the mark preservation; however, they also observed a shielding effect of soft tissue on the marks in lower temperatures.…”

Wounded to the bone: Digital microscopic analysis of traumas in a medieval mass grave assemblage (Sandbjerget, Denmark, AD 1300–1350)

“…Additional features of lesion morphology have been frequently observed using digital microscopy, such as striations and damage. The observation of striations was reported in some cases (Bromage and Boyde, 1984;Symes, 1998, Lyne andFaigrieve, 2009) but not in all (Ferllini, 2009;Kooi and Fairgrieve, 2013). However, the variety of damage easily observed by microscopy has been widely recognized (Alunni-Perret et al, 2008;Lewis, 2008;Capuani et al, 2013;Lyne and Fairgrieve, 2009;Ferllini, 2009;Kooi and Fairgrieve, 2013).…”

“…For example, computed tomography (CT) has been adopted for autopsies (Thali et al, 2003;Jacobsen and Lynnerup, 2009;Rutty et al 2013;Scharf 2015). Scanning Electron Miscrocopy (SEM) has been widely used on experimental cases discriminating various bladed weapons (Bromage and Boyde, 1984;Bartelink et al, 2001;Lewis, 2008;Alunni-Perret et al, 2008;Ferllini, 2012;Kooi and Fairgrieve;. More recently, analyses of cutmarks using digital microscopy has increased in osteoarchaeology and forensic anthropology (Bello and Soligo, 2008;Shaw et al, 2011;Crowder et al, 2013;Bonney, 2014;Dittmar, 2016).…”

An investigation of the use of discriminant analysis for the classification of blade edge type from cut marks made by metal and bamboo blades

“…Porcine ribs were chosen as they are a commonly selected species for this type of study (Croft and Ferllini, 2007;Kooi and Fairgrieve, 2012;Love et al, 2012). There was no disruption of the overlying soft tissue in the central areas of the ribs to be used, therefore no pre-existing cut marks from the processing of the meat.…”

“…There was no disruption of the overlying soft tissue in the central areas of the ribs to be used, therefore no pre-existing cut marks from the processing of the meat. Porcine ribs were chosen as they are a commonly selected species for this type of study (Croft and Ferllini, 2007;Kooi and Fairgrieve, 2012;Love et al, 2012). The different blades were used by a right handed person to make 10 cut marks on each of the dorsal and ventral aspects of one rib per blade type.…”