NIJ conference Gill-King€¦ · force, blunt force, and ballistic injuries • Identify...

ForensicForensic AnthropologyAnthropologyForensic Forensic AnthropologyAnthropologyA Resource for InvestigatorsA Resource for Investigators

H. GillH. Gill--King, Ph.D., DKing, Ph.D., D--ABFAABFA

CCENTER ENTER FFOR HOR HUMANUMAN IIDENTIFICATIONDENTIFICATIONUUNIVERSITY OFNIVERSITY OF NNORTHORTH TTEXASEXASUUNIVERSITY OF NIVERSITY OF NNORTH ORTH TTEXASEXASLLABORATORYABORATORY OF OF

FFORENSIC ORENSIC AANTHROPOLOGYNTHROPOLOGYLLABORATORYABORATORY OFOF

MMOLECULAR OLECULAR IIDENTIFICATIONDENTIFICATION

For information or assistance, please call (800) 279-1339

UNT Center for H

uman Identification

Laboratory of F

orensic Anthropology

Center for Human Identification

Providing a multidisciplinary approach to Providing a multidisciplinary approach to remains analysis and identificationremains analysis and identification

Laborator for Molec larLaboratory for Molecular Identification

University of North Texas H lth S i C tHealth Science Center Fort Worth

Laboratory of Forensic A h lAnthropology

University of North Texas Denton

F i Od t lForensic Odontology


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

Laboratory of F


What is Forensic Anthropology?

Analysis of skeletal remains, using Analysis of skeletal remains, using techniques derived from physical techniques derived from physical anthropology and skeletal biologyanthropology and skeletal biologyanthropology and skeletal biology, anthropology and skeletal biology, within a within a medicolegalmedicolegal contextcontext

Includes the application of Includes the application of archaeological techniques to archaeological techniques to search and recovery efforts search and recovery efforts sea c a d eco e y e o ssea c a d eco e y e o s


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uman Identification

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Types of Case Involvement

Individual identification and analysisIndividual identification and analysis•• Majority of cases for most forensic Majority of cases for most forensic

anthropologistsanthropologists•• Primarily from law enforcement agenciesPrimarily from law enforcement agencies•• Primarily from law enforcement agencies Primarily from law enforcement agencies •• Involve both identification and analysisInvolve both identification and analysis


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uman Identification

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Types of Case Involvement

Mass disastersMass disasters•• Political, accidental, Political, accidental,

naturalnaturalP i ilP i il•• Primarily an Primarily an identification effortidentification effort

Atrocities / War crimes / Atrocities / War crimes / Crimes against humanityCrimes against humanity

•• Mass identificationsMass identifications•• Analysis Analysis –– differentiation differentiation

from ‘normal’ conflictfrom ‘normal’ conflictfrom normal conflict from normal conflict traumatrauma


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uman Identification

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Anthropological Services •• Location/Recovery of remainsLocation/Recovery of remains

E h tiE h ti•• ExhumationsExhumations•• Decomposed, scattered, burned, buried, Decomposed, scattered, burned, buried,

b d f t ib d f t isubmerged, fragmentary remainssubmerged, fragmentary remains•• Examination of skeletal remainsExamination of skeletal remains•• Skeletal identificationsSkeletal identifications•• Submissions to the Missing Persons Submissions to the Missing Persons

DNA DatabaseDNA Database•• VictimologyVictimology•• Expert testimonyExpert testimony


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

Laboratory of F


Anthropological Services, cont.

Skeletal RemainsSkeletal RemainsSkeletal Remains Skeletal Remains ExaminationsExaminations•• Forensic significanceForensic significance•• Postmortem intervalPostmortem intervalPostmortem intervalPostmortem interval•• Biological profile: Sex, Ancestry, Age, Biological profile: Sex, Ancestry, Age,

Stature/physiqueStature/physiqueStature/physiqueStature/physique•• Unique identifiers: skeletal Unique identifiers: skeletal

features pathology medical historyfeatures pathology medical historyfeatures, pathology, medical historyfeatures, pathology, medical history•• Antemortem and perimortem traumaAntemortem and perimortem trauma


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uman Identification

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Forensic Odontology


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

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Anthropological Information

The forensicThe forensicThe forensic The forensic anthropologist’s primaryanthropologist’s primaryanthropologist s primary anthropologist s primary

mission is to providemission is to providemission is to provide mission is to provide informationinformation to the to the

investigating agency!investigating agency!


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

Laboratory of F


Location and Recovery


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

Laboratory of F


Determination of Forensic SignificanceSignificance

Is the case a matter of legal interest?Is the case a matter of legal interest?

In other words, Is this a case that In other words, Is this a case that investigative agencies need to investigative agencies need to pursue?pursue?pursue?pursue?

•• Human vs. NonHuman vs. Non--humanhuman•• Contemporary vs. Historical or Contemporary vs. Historical or ArchaeologicalArchaeologicalArchaeologicalArchaeological


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uman Identification

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Human vs. Non-human•• Differences in gross anatomical structureDifferences in gross anatomical structure•• Greatest differences found atGreatest differences found at articulararticular endsends•• Greatest differences found at Greatest differences found at articulararticular endsends•• Differences in microscopic structureDifferences in microscopic structure

U ll i k i l l iU ll i k i l l i•• Usually very quick, simple analysisUsually very quick, simple analysis•• EE--mail submissions may save TIMEmail submissions may save TIME


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uman Identification

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Non-Human and Children

•• Potentially the most difficult Potentially the most difficult yydistinction between animal and distinction between animal and humanhumanhumanhuman

•• Small mammals and infants can Small mammals and infants can b il f db il f dbe easily confusedbe easily confused

•• Distinctive features of boneDistinctive features of boneDistinctive features of bone Distinctive features of bone have not fully developed in have not fully developed in childrenchildrenchildrenchildren


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uman Identification

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Which are Human?


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uman Identification

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Forensic Significance

Modern vs. Historical / ArchaeologicalModern vs. Historical / Archaeological

Things that are normally notThings that are normally not

Modern vs. Historical / ArchaeologicalModern vs. Historical / Archaeological

Things that are normally not Things that are normally not forensically significant:forensically significant:

Archaeological RemainsArchaeological Remains•• Archaeological Remains Archaeological Remains •• Cemetery RemainsCemetery Remains•• Medical Specimens Medical Specimens •• “Trophy” Remains“Trophy” RemainsTrophy RemainsTrophy Remains


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uman Identification

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UNT Center for H

uman Identification

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Modern Aesthetic Modern Aesthetic ModificationModificationModificationModification


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uman Identification

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Modern Medical Intervention

Orthopedic appliancesOrthopedic appliances•• Replacement surgeries Replacement surgeries

(hip, knee, etc.)(hip, knee, etc.)•• Fracture stabilizationFracture stabilizationFracture stabilization Fracture stabilization

Surgical proceduresSurgical proceduresDental restorations orDental restorations orDental restorations or Dental restorations or

appliancesappliances

All of these may have antemortem records whichAll of these may have antemortem records whichAll of these may have antemortem records which All of these may have antemortem records which could be used to make an identification!could be used to make an identification!


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

Laboratory of F



UNT Center for H

uman Identification

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Taphonomy and Postmortem IntervalPostmortem Interval


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uman Identification

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Biological Profile

Basic Identification ParametersBasic Identification Parameters1.1. SexSex2.2. AncestryAncestryyy3.3. Age Age 4.4. StatureStature4.4. StatureStature

Information to narrow the search for Information to narrow the search for possible missing individualspossible missing individuals

Data to filter potential DNA matchesData to filter potential DNA matchesData to filter potential DNA matchesData to filter potential DNA matches


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uman Identification

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Determination of Sex


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uman Identification

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Sex Determination

Based on the premise that humans are Based on the premise that humans are somewhatsomewhat sexually dimorphicsexually dimorphic

•• PelvisPelvisPelvis Pelvis •• Cranium Cranium •• Areas of muscular attachment tend to be more robust in Areas of muscular attachment tend to be more robust in

males males (although secular occupational trends may represent a change)(although secular occupational trends may represent a change)

•• Postcranial bone other than the pelvis Postcranial bone other than the pelvis •• Metric analysis (population must be known)Metric analysis (population must be known)•• Metric analysis (population must be known)Metric analysis (population must be known)•• Discrete nonDiscrete non--metric traits (metric traits (olecranonolecranon perforation, perforation, suprascapularsuprascapular

notch, etc.)notch, etc.)

Potential evidence of childbirth Potential evidence of childbirth


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uman Identification

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UNT Center for H

uman Identification

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Ancestry (Race, Biotype)


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uman Identification

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Ancestry and “Race”

“Race” is a term with a multitude of “Race” is a term with a multitude of d fi iti d lt l i li tid fi iti d lt l i li tidefinitions and cultural implicationsdefinitions and cultural implications

LongLong--term evolutionary characteristics term evolutionary characteristics i t d ith hi i di t d ith hi i dassociated with geographic regions and associated with geographic regions and

population groups population groups –– we are not evaluating we are not evaluating culture or where an individual was bornculture or where an individual was bornculture or where an individual was born culture or where an individual was born

Admixture and variation make ancestral Admixture and variation make ancestral assessments somewhat problematicassessments somewhat problematicassessments somewhat problematicassessments somewhat problematic

Investigators need to know how others Investigators need to know how others would view the individualwould view the individualwould view the individualwould view the individual


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uman Identification

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Evaluation of Ancestry

•• Craniofacial characteristics vary between Craniofacial characteristics vary between groups (esp. groups (esp. midfacemidface morphology)morphology)

–– Discrete (genetically unique features)Discrete (genetically unique features)–– NonNon--metric traits (metric traits (suturalsutural patterns, hair, patterns, hair,

prognathism, etc.) prognathism, etc.) –– Metric discriminant function analysis (biologicalMetric discriminant function analysis (biologicalMetric discriminant function analysis (biological Metric discriminant function analysis (biological

distance)distance)

•• Postcranial metric differences and Postcranial metric differences and os c a a e c d e e ces a dos c a a e c d e e ces a dappendicularappendicular proportionsproportions

•• Dental characteristicsDental characteristicsDental characteristicsDental characteristics•• Genetic polymorphismsGenetic polymorphisms


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uman Identification

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Age Estimation


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

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Age EstimationSkeletal age estimations must be given Skeletal age estimations must be given

as a as a rangerangeUsually, the estimation range is more precise Usually, the estimation range is more precise

ith i di id lith i di id lwith younger individualswith younger individualsMethods used to estimate age differ for Methods used to estimate age differ for

diff tdiff tdifferent age ranges:different age ranges:•• Infants and children Infants and children –– bone development and bone development and

dental formation/eruptiondental formation/eruptiondental formation/eruptiondental formation/eruption•• Adolescents Adolescents –– dental completion and final dental completion and final

bone developmentbone developmentbone developmentbone development•• Adults Adults –– age related changes to mature boneage related changes to mature bone


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

Laboratory of F


Stature and Physique


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

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Biological Profile & VariationThe anthropologist is attempting to categorize the The anthropologist is attempting to categorize the

remains based on variation in the population andremains based on variation in the population andremains based on variation in the population and remains based on variation in the population and differences between groupsdifferences between groups

Some classifications will be made with more Some classifications will be made with more certainty than others depending on where that certainty than others depending on where that individual is in the variation….individual is in the variation….

When using a biological profile to search various When using a biological profile to search various databases:databases:

Individuals falling somewhat outside of the Individuals falling somewhat outside of the reported profile should not necessarily be reported profile should not necessarily be

excluded without further investigation excluded without further investigation –– if in if in doubt, call your anthropologistdoubt, call your anthropologist


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

Laboratory of F


Individualizing Features


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

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UNT Center for H

uman Identification

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Skeletal Analysis - Trauma•• Distinction between antemortem, Distinction between antemortem,

i t d t t ti t d t t tperimortem, and postmortem traumaperimortem, and postmortem trauma•• Possible identification from antemortem Possible identification from antemortem

trauma (given appropriate records)trauma (given appropriate records)•• Possible determination of cause and/or Possible determination of cause and/or

manner of deathmanner of death•• Recognition and interpretation of sharpRecognition and interpretation of sharpRecognition and interpretation of sharp Recognition and interpretation of sharp

force, blunt force, and ballistic injuries force, blunt force, and ballistic injuries •• Identify dismemberment or attempts toIdentify dismemberment or attempts to•• Identify dismemberment or attempts to Identify dismemberment or attempts to

obscure identificationobscure identificationFor information or assistance, please call (800) 279-1339

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uman Identification

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Reconstruction


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

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Blunt Force Trauma

Impact with a blunt object with sufficient Impact with a blunt object with sufficient jjforce to damage boneforce to damage bone

Moving object Moving object –– Baseball bat, vehicleBaseball bat, vehicleM i i di id lM i i di id l F lli b dF lli b dMoving individual Moving individual –– Falling body, Falling body,

thrown against an objectthrown against an objectConsiderations: Mass, velocity, shape Considerations: Mass, velocity, shape

of objectof objectof objectof object


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uman Identification

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Blunt Force Findings

•• Number of impactsNumber of impacts•• Sequence of impactsSequence of impactsq pq p•• Evidence transferEvidence transfer•• Time (anteTime (ante-- periperi-- postmortem)postmortem)•• Time (anteTime (ante--, , periperi--, postmortem), postmortem)•• Type(s) and number of weaponsType(s) and number of weapons•• Occasional individualization of weaponOccasional individualization of weapon•• Confusion with atypical GSWConfusion with atypical GSWyy•• Energy delivered (may exclude suspect)Energy delivered (may exclude suspect)


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

Laboratory of F


Defensive Fracture


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uman Identification

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Intracranial Trauma


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uman Identification

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uman Identification

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Healed Blunt Force Trauma

Healed radiating Healed radiating fracturefracture Impact siteImpact site


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uman Identification

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Ballistic Trauma

Blunt object impacting bone over a Blunt object impacting bone over a j gj gsmall area with high velocity, creating small area with high velocity, creating a unique set of characteristicsa unique set of characteristicsa unique set of characteristicsa unique set of characteristics

Factors affecting the defectFactors affecting the defect::•• CaliberCaliber•• Projectile constructionProjectile construction•• VelocityVelocity•• Stability of projectileStability of projectile•• Stability of projectileStability of projectile•• Contact injuries Contact injuries –– expansive gassesexpansive gasses


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uman Identification

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Potential Ballistic Findings

Presence of ballistic injuries in bonePresence of ballistic injuries in bone•• Gross observation: classic entry/exitGross observation: classic entry/exit•• XX--rays / SEM / EDXrays / SEM / EDX

N b f h tN b f h tNumber of shotsNumber of shotsOrder of shotsOrder of shotsClass of weaponClass of weaponProjectile path / angle through the bodyProjectile path / angle through the bodyApproximate caliber (exclusions)Approximate caliber (exclusions)Position of barrelPosition of barrelHard / soft ammunitionHard / soft ammunition


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

Laboratory of F


Typical Ballistic Injuries


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

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Reconstruction of Wound TrackTrack


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

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The wound track The wound track describes thedescribes thedescribes the describes the relationship relationship between the between the projectile and the projectile and the victim. victim.

It does NOT place It does NOT place the victim or the victim or assailant at a assailant at a particular location particular location

ithi th iithi th iwithin the crime within the crime scene.scene.


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uman Identification

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Antemortem Ballistic Injuries


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

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Atypical Ballistic Injuries

Oval aperture Oval aperture pp•• low angle or tumbling roundlow angle or tumbling round

Keyhole defectsKeyhole defectsKeyhole defects Keyhole defects •• Very low angle of incidenceVery low angle of incidence•• Beveling internally and externallyBeveling internally and externallyBeveling internally and externallyBeveling internally and externally•• Round may not enter the cranial vault!Round may not enter the cranial vault!

Irregular defectsIrregular defects Unstable projectilesUnstable projectilesIrregular defects Irregular defects -- Unstable projectilesUnstable projectiles•• Intermediate targets: brush, glass, other Intermediate targets: brush, glass, other

tissue etctissue etctissue, etc.tissue, etc.Shored exitsShored exits


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

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Exit Exit –– from right parietal injuryfrom right parietal injury

E tE tEntry Entry –– exits right temporalexits right temporal


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uman Identification

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Atypical – Intermediate Target


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uman Identification

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Atypical Locations


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uman Identification

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Sharp Force Trauma

StabStab•• Typically greater in depth than lengthTypically greater in depth than length•• Produced by a thrusting action (force Produced by a thrusting action (force

roughly perpendicular to the surface)roughly perpendicular to the surface)Incised (cut)Incised (cut)( )( )

•• Typically greater in length than depthTypically greater in length than depth•• Produced by a slashing actionProduced by a slashing action•• Produced by a slashing action Produced by a slashing action

(movement along the surface)(movement along the surface)


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uman Identification

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Sharp Force Trauma

ChopChopChopChopSomewhat sharp cutting object that is Somewhat sharp cutting object that is p g jp g j

heavy (axe) and/or moving at high heavy (axe) and/or moving at high velocity (mower blade)velocity (mower blade)y ( )y ( )

Potential characteristics of both sharp Potential characteristics of both sharp d bl t f td bl t f tand blunt force trauma and blunt force trauma


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

Laboratory of F


Sharp Force Findings

•• LengthLength / width issues/ width issuesLength Length / width issues/ width issues•• Backed vs. doubleBacked vs. double--edgeedge•• ClassClass characteristicscharacteristics•• Class Class characteristicscharacteristics•• Associated Associated garmentsgarments

A t i lA t i l “l i ”“l i ”•• Anatomical Anatomical “learning” “learning” •• Toolmark transfer (possible Toolmark transfer (possible

i di id li ti )i di id li ti )individualization)individualization)•• Confusion with scissoid mouth parts (Confusion with scissoid mouth parts (ieie

i l i t t)i l i t t)animal vs. instrument)animal vs. instrument)


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uman Identification

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Common Sites

Ribs and VertebraeRibs and Vertebrae•• Vital organsVital organs

H dH dHandsHands•• Lateral aspect and flexor surfaceLateral aspect and flexor surfacepp•• Defensive posture / grasping bladeDefensive posture / grasping blade

Joint surfaces / marginsJoint surfaces / marginsJoint surfaces / marginsJoint surfaces / margins•• Typical of dismembermentTypical of dismemberment


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uman Identification

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Sharp Force - Stab


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uman Identification

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Sharp Force - Incised


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uman Identification

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Sharp Force - Chop


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uman Identification

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Sharp Force Toolmarks


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

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Thermal Effects•• Burned Burned “green” or dry“green” or dry

T tT t / ti ti t/ ti ti t•• Temperature Temperature / time estimates / time estimates (address accelerant issues)(address accelerant issues)H tH t ff t i th tiff t i th ti•• Heat Heat effects in prosthetic effects in prosthetic materials (dental, orthopedic, materials (dental, orthopedic, other)other)other)other)

•• Flash Flash and and barotraumabarotrauma vs. vs. positionpositionpositionposition

•• “Red “Red flag” flag” observationsobservations•• supinesupine // pronepronesupine supine / / proneprone•• Cranial blowout vs. thermal Cranial blowout vs. thermal

loadingloadingFor information or assistance, please call (800) 279-1339

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uman Identification

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Thermal Effects, cont.

•• Obscured Obscured perimortem injuryperimortem injury•• AAnimal nimal vs. humanvs. human•• SShrinkage hrinkage distortion vs. biological profiledistortion vs. biological profilegg g pg p•• WWho ho burns fastest ?burns fastest ?•• CCanan a body be burned up ?a body be burned up ?CCan an a body be burned up ?a body be burned up ?•• DNA extraction issuesDNA extraction issues

SSpecialpecial handling and lab protocol applyhandling and lab protocol apply•• SSpecial pecial handling and lab protocol apply handling and lab protocol apply (significant damage to evidence possible at (significant damage to evidence possible at several steps)several steps)several steps)several steps)


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

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Multiple Classes of Trauma

Blunt and Sharp Force


UNT Center for H

uman Identification

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Multiple Trauma Classes

Blunt Force ImpactBlunt Force ImpactBlunt Force ImpactBlunt Force Impact

Ballistic Entry SitesBallistic Entry SitesBallistic Entry SitesBallistic Entry Sites


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uman Identification

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UNT Center for H

uman Identification

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DismembermentUsually blade and/or sawUsually blade and/or sawP i f l i i bl dP i f l i i bl dProgression of learning in blade Progression of learning in blade

disarticulationsdisarticulations•• Fewer trial marks in later attemptsFewer trial marks in later attempts•• More preciseMore precisepp

Use of multiple instrumentsUse of multiple instrumentsCharacterization of saw cutsCharacterization of saw cutsCharacterization of saw cutsCharacterization of saw cuts

•• Type of sawType of sawK f bl d h t i tiK f bl d h t i ti•• Kerf, blade characterization Kerf, blade characterization

•• Direction of cutDirection of cutFor information or assistance, please call (800) 279-1339

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uman Identification

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Bladed Disarticulation of Hand

Cut ulnar Cut ulnar head with head with vital reactionvital reaction


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uman Identification

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Decapitation with Trial Cuts


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uman Identification

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Hand Saw Dismemberment


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uman Identification

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Saw Cut InterpretationDirection of cut

Kerf width and di t t thdivergent tooth profile

Fracture spike


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uman Identification

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Direction of CutDirection of Cut


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uman Identification

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uman Identification

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Attempt to Obscure IdentityAvulsion of TeethAvulsion of Teeth

Note: intact rootsNote: intact roots


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uman Identification

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The Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology The Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology would like to acknowledge the followingwould like to acknowledge the followingwould like to acknowledge the followingwould like to acknowledge the following

National Institute of JusticeNational Institute of JusticeNational Institute of JusticeNational Institute of JusticeUNTHSC Office of Professional and UNTHSC Office of Professional and

Continuing EducationContinuing EducationFor information or assistance, please call (800) 279-1339

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uman Identification

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NIJ conference Gill-King€¦ · force, blunt force, and ballistic injuries • Identify...

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