Sharp and blunt force trauma concealment by thermal alteration in homicides: an in-vitro experiment for methodology and protocol development in forensic anthropological analysis of burnt bones.

Deaths from sharp and blunt force trauma are common in homicide cases [1 –5], particularly in countries where civilian use of firearms is strictly regulated. In England and Wales for instance, 2011-12 homicide data shows that out of 550 homicides, 200 resulted from sharp instruments and more than 100 from blunt trauma [6]. Homicides, whether by sharp, blunt or other ty pe of trauma, are often concealed through burning [7]. In such circumstances, where expertise in burn patterns and differential bone fracture propagation is required, the presence of the forensic anthropologist is advisable [8–11].

Source: Forensic Science International - March 28, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Ioana Macoveciuc, Nicholas M árquez-Grant, Ian Horsfall, Peter Zioupos Source Type: research