Assessment of Wear‐Related Features of the Kerf Wall from Saw Marks in Bone*†

Abstract: Analyses of saw marks in bone may yield important information about the class characteristics of saws used in postmortem dismemberments, yet little research has been directed at identifying saws’ individualizing characteristics. This study adds to existing saw mark analysis methodologies by examining wear‐related features of kerf walls using light‐ and environmental scanning electron microscopy. A crosscut saw and hacksaw were used to create sequences of 30 cuts in bone; these sequences reveal patterns of progressive loss of fine details of kerf wall morphology with increasing saw blade wear, because of the rounding of sharp points and edges. Nevertheless, diagnostic kerf wall features used to establish class characteristics persist despite these wear‐related changes. Unsuccessful attempts at statistical analysis of wear‐related changes, based on striae width and density, suggest these patterns are not readily quantifiable. Additionally, despite the scanning electron microscope’s superior imaging capabilities, it provided few practical, methodological gains over traditional light microscopy.     

Discharge of a Pistol Out a Car Window with the Breech Within the Interior of the Car: Analysis of Gunshot Residue on a Car's Interior Surfaces

The defendant, the driver of the questioned car, allegedly extended his right arm over the passenger seat and fired a single shot from a 380 pistol out the passenger window with the pistol's breech within the car. A simulation of this shooting scenario using the same model car, but different year, was conducted to quantitate gunshot residue (GSR) contamination of interior surfaces within the car. The test car's dash and headliner/window frame above the pistol had the heaviest GSR contamination. The dash GSR from airborne deposition documents a firearm discharge within the vehicle. Transfer from GSR‐contaminated hands or clothing to the dash is unlikely. The heavy GSR contamination of the headliner/window frame above the pistol likely documents the window from which the pistol was fired, but additional experiments are needed to verify.     

Fate and Behavior of Gunshot Residue: Recreational Shooter Vehicle Distribution

The susceptibility for recreational shooters to transfer gunshot residue (GSR) to both the interior and exterior of a vehicle is investigated. A comprehensive sampling protocol was used to assess the most likely areas of GSR transfer from recreational shooter contact, such as the steering wheel and the area, the firearms were stored (the trunk). Up to 315 characteristic GSR, particles were found in several locations throughout the interior of a vehicle. As many as 876 characteristic particles were found throughout a single vehicle. The data indicate that vehicles frequently occupied by firearms users are a potential source for inadvertent transfer of GSR to persons unrelated to firearm activity. In criminal cases where vehicles have been used, such transfer processes for GSR need to be considered within the context of any case interpretation. The implications for subsequent contamination and transfer processes from such vehicles require further investigation.     

子弹弹头及弹壳成分比较研究

目的对子弹物证进行成分分析可为涉枪案件的侦查提供科学依据。本实验旨在通过研究子弹弹头及弹壳的元素组成快速区分不同子弹,为推断子弹来源提供关键信息。方法收集不同厂家在1958-2019年不同批次生产的多种型号的子弹样品53份,应用扫描电镜能谱法(SEM/EDX)对样品的弹头内芯、弹头披甲和弹壳金属成分进行研究。结果结果显示多数子弹弹头内芯由纯铅构成,部分批次较晚的弹头为铅锑合金,另有两枚批次较早子弹为铁弹头;除六枚5.6mm运动步枪弹的弹头披甲以及四枚791厂样品的弹壳无明显特征外,其余子弹的弹头披甲和弹壳均为三类铜锌合金中的一种:含铜量83.7%~84.7%、87.6%~90.6%以及67.0%~69.8%的铜锌合金。同型号同厂家子弹所使用弹头披甲及弹壳材料的特征相似,同型号不同厂家、同厂家不同型号的子弹弹头披甲和弹壳材料则具有一定差异。近六十年来121厂样品子弹弹头披甲均为含铜量87.6%~90.6%的铜锌合金,弹壳材料为含铜量67.0%~69.8%的铜锌合金,其为该厂固定使用的铜锌合金原材料的可能性较高。791厂样品中有四种型号的子弹弹壳均为含锰量0.7%~0.9%的铁锰合金,这种合金在其他厂家并未出现,其为791厂弹壳特征原材料的可能性较高。结论掌握子弹弹头及弹壳的元素组成特征可以对不同子弹进行有效识别。     

The characterization of automobile body fillers

Body fillers are sometimes encountered with paint evidence from hit-and-run accidents. Little forensic research has been conducted and published on the subject since 1986. The objective of this study was to determine if chemical and physical differences in body fillers from various manufacturers existed and could be identified. Thirty-three samples of light-weight automobile body fillers and spot putties were obtained. The fillers and putties were compared using light microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX), and pyrolysis gas chromatography (pyGC). Results from fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis placed the samples into five groups and differentiated six samples. Light microscopy placed the samples into one of five color groups. PyGC placed the samples into three groups and differentiated one sample. SEM-EDX placed the samples into four groups and differentiated 13 samples. Using these analysis methods, 19 of the 33 samples could be discriminated. The best discriminatory tool was found to be SEM-EDX.     

Electrical Pulse Generated Upon Discharging a Firearm and Its Implication for Gunshot Residue Analysis

Ammunition primers consisting of a mixture of lead styphnate, barium nitrate, and antimony (III) sulfide, upon deflagration, lead to the formation of inorganic gunshot residue (GSR). The cations, from their predeflagration form, undergo reduction reactions during burning to form the classic spheroidal, micron-sized particles indicative of GSR. However, the rapidly changing pressure and temperature of the reaction zone implies that the reactions cannot go to completion. In this study, we use a conductivity detector to show that GSR produces an electrical pulse which corroborates the incomplete redox chemistry. We find that the shape of some GSR formed in an electric field also suggests its nonneutral character. Tantalizingly, the formation of GSR might be a result of Coulombic repulsion shattering the molten droplets in to smaller spheroids. Lastly, we suggest that deposition or transfer of GSR could be influenced by static electricity, an area which should be further studied.     

Acute Respiratory Obstruction due to Accidental Inhalation of Perlite: A Novel Mechanism for Upper Airway Occlusion with Cast Formation

A 56-year-old man died following a fall resulting in complete submersion into a deep pit containing insulation material, expanded perlite. The most striking finding at autopsy was of impacted, moist pale yellow perlite that extended from the epiglottis into the main bronchi resulting in complete obstruction of the larger and smaller airways with cast formation. Perlite inhalation differs from inhalation of inert materials such as sand and wheat due to its hygroscopic properties and ability to expand forming an occlusive cast. Subsequent analyses of perlite from the worksite and within the airways indicated that hydration of perlite and adsorption of organic molecules into the perlite glass flakes had formed an interlocking, three-dimensional structure that was likely responsible for triggering a coagulation–flocculation process causing strong cohesion between the aggregates of glass flakes. This unique mechanism was likely responsible for the formation of the plug of perlite that obstructed the upper airway.     

Comparison of three collection methods for the sodium rhodizonate detection of gunshot residues on hands

The aim of this study was to compare three gunshot residue (GSR) collection methods used in conjunction with chemographic detection applied by different regional Swiss police services. The specimens were collected from the hands of a shooter with either filter paper (Filter method) or adhesive foil. The adhesive foil was then either applied against photographic paper during visualisation (AF Photo method) or coated with a layer of polyvinyl alcohol (AF PVAL method). The experiments involved two conditions of the examined hands, i.e. dry and humidified. The residues were revealed using the sodium rhodizonate test (SRT). Preliminary tests assessing the possibility of conducting a confirmatory Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled to Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) analysis after the chemographic test were performed on a number of specimens by cutting positive spots and mounting them on stubs. Obtained results were compared in terms of effectiveness - number of positive spots, time requirements, quality of subsequent SEM-EDX analysis, ease of use and cost.The Filter method generally yielded a high-quality detection with both dry and humidified hands, as well as a simple, quick and efficient confirmation by SEM/EDX. The AF Photo performed well on dry hands, but not on humidified hands. The AF PVAL method performance was lower compared to the other methods in both examined conditions of the hands. The SEM/EDX analysis showed that the Filter and AF PVAL method provided satisfactory results when a sufficient carbon coating thickness was applied to the cuttings. It was also observed that the thinner the PVAL layer, the better the quality of the spectra and obtained images in SEM/EDX. Furthermore, the surface of the photographic paper did not seem to be conductive, even after the application of a thick layer of carbon.In conclusion, the Filter method gave the best overall results, but its application required slightly more time and expertise than the two other methods.     

Detection and analyses of latent DNA

Latent DNA detection has the potential to transform aspects of DNA collection at scenes and from items. In the absence of being able to visualise the location of cellular material, all collection of samples at crime scenes is currently performed blind. With the advent of the application of a nucleic acid staining dye, the DNA within skin cells (commonly called keratinocytes and corneocytes) can be visualised. Diamond Dye fluoresces when it binds to the backbone of DNA. This fluorescence can be recorded using a simple mini-microscope allowing the location and number of cells to be recorded. The potential to visualise cells on a wide range of substrates opens the possibility to target sample collection and to triage samples for further analyses to only those containing DNA. Diamond Dye has been found to be safe at the concentration used, inexpensive, available commercially, easy to apply, is highly sensitive, and does not inhibit further analyses such as PCR. This work presented at the ISFG congress gives an overview of the current developments on using DNA staining dyes to record the number of cells present on a wide range of substrates. It is essential to firstly understand the composition of cellular material deposited by touch, where it originates and the relative composition of corneocytes and cell-free DNA. Insight into the origins of touch DNA will be presented along with the staining of nuclei using a range of dyes to show corneocyte degradation. The presentation will cover how DNA binding dyes can be used to effectively triage sample collection, monitor cell collection using different swabs and tapes.     

Differentiating human bone from animal bone: a review of histological methods

This review brings together a complex and extensive literature to address the question of whether it is possible to distinguish human from nonhuman bone using the histological appearance of cortical bone. The mammalian species included are rat, hare, badger, racoon dog, cat, dog, pig, cow, goat, sheep, deer, horse, water buffalo, bear, nonhuman primates, and human and are therefore not exhaustive, but cover those mammals that may contribute to a North American or Eurasian forensic assemblage. The review has demonstrated that differentiation of human from certain nonhuman species is possible, including small mammals exhibiting Haversian bone tissue and large mammals exhibiting plexiform bone tissue. Pig, cow, goat, sheep, horse, and water buffalo exhibit both plexiform and Haversian bone tissue and where only Haversian bone tissue exists in bone fragments, differentiation of these species from humans is not possible. Other primate Haversian bone tissue is also not distinguishable from humans. Where differentiation using Haversian bone tissue is undertaken, both the general microstructural appearance and measurements of histological structures should be applied. Haversian system diameter and Haversian canal diameter are the most optimal and diagnostic measurements to use. Haversian system density may be usefully applied to provide an upper and lower limit for humans.