Sharp-Force Trauma Analysis and the Forensic Anthropologist: Techniques Advocated by William R. Maples, Ph.D.

Abstract

forensic anthropological tenets supported by William R. Maples, Ph.D. provide the bases for a case study from the C.A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory. Using a multidisciplinary team that included police investigators, pathologists, odontologists. entomologists, and anthrpologists, a biological profile and trauma analysis was constructed. Our analysis determined that the decedent was a middle-aged Hispanic male, approximately 5′6″–5′7″ in stature, who had died a minimum of three months before the discovery of his remains. Gross and microscopic analysis revealed 11 areas of sharp trauma to the skull and cervical vertebrae. To aid with analysis of the trauma, nonhuman trauma exemplars were created using a Tiger® rear flail mower of the make known to have been used at the scene where the remains were recovered. This use of nonhuman trauma exemplars proved to be essential in the effort to exclude the rear flail mower as the possible trauma agent.

Suicidal or Homicidal Sharp Force Injuries? A Review and Critical Analysis of the Heterogeneity in the Forensic Literature

“…The data collected from reviewing the literature concerning suicidal and homicidal injuries are summarized in Table .…”

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

“…In a forensic anthropological context, the analysis of sharp force trauma has focused on relating wound characteristics to weapon types . Of these, stab wounds have been found to be the most frequent cause of homicidal death in Canada .…”

Kana Tamata or Feasts of Men: An Interdisciplinary Approach for Identifying Cannibalism in Prehistoric Fiji

“…Building upon the forensic and anthropological literature, we define sharp‐force trauma (SFT) as any injury to bone created by an implement with a point or an edge (Walsh‐Haney, ; Symes et al ., ; Fisher et al ., ; Kimmerle & Baraybar, ). This type of traumatic injury usually results from compressive or shearing forces applied dynamically over a relatively narrow focus area as a result of forces attributed to cutting, puncturing or chopping (Fisher et al ., ).…”

“…Identifying and documenting sharp‐force traumatic defects on bones relies upon the identification of diagnostic characteristics related to specific variables, such as cut mark and cross‐section shape; wall and floor characteristics; cut mark depth; and the presence and type of associated fracturing (Table ) (Walsh‐Haney, ; Symes et al ., ; Kimmerle & Baraybar, ). A 5× hand lens and directional lighting provide effective bioarchaeological and courtroom tested methods of cut mark identification (Maples & Browning, ; Walsh‐Haney, ; Symes et al ., ). As such, Walsh‐Haney analysed the human skeletal material via a Bauche and Lomb watchmaker (Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY, USA) 5× hand lens (loupe) and Stream (Streamlight, Inc., Eagleville, PA, USA) flexible reach penlight to identify SFT by the characteristics in Table .…”