Sharp force trauma with two katana swords: identifying the murder weapon by comparing tool marks on the skull bone

Matthias Weber,Markus Alexander Rothschild,Sibylle Banaschak

doi:10.1007/s00414-020-02372-3

Matthias Weber, Markus Alexander Rothschild + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-020-02372-3

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Abstract

This paper describes the variety of information that a tool mark analysis on human tissue can provide based on a case of multiple sharp violence. The perpetrator attacked the victim with a sharp-edged weapon against the head, leaving several deep wounds on the back of the skull bone. Three of those marks on the skull bone could be used for a forensic tool mark examination. Silicone casts of the marks were compared by light microscopy with casts of test marks of Japanese katana swords found at the crime scene. One of the swords could be identified as the one responsible for the marks. In addition, the marks and the test marks were scanned in 3D and examined in a visual on-screen comparison confirming the results from the light microscopic examination. Furthermore, a mathematical approach in which the signatures of the marks from the skull bone and the test marks from the sword were compared by cross correlation confirms those findings. In addition, the aforementioned results were used to determine the orientation of the sword in relation to the cranial bone at the time of the respective impact.

Highlights

A majority of homicides and manslaughter cases are committed with sharp force
The main goal of a tool mark examination is to determine if a mark was produced by a particular tool
We present the comparative tool mark examination in a murder case involving sharp force trauma to the cranial bone

Summary

Introduction

A majority of homicides and manslaughter cases are committed with sharp force. The most commonly used type of weapon is a single-edged, flat-bladed kitchen, pocket or folding knife [1]. Tools, and objects like axes, machetes, screwdrivers, broken bottle necks, and swords can be found. In all these cases, the object causing injury to the victim is of critical importance to the investigation. If a potential weapon is seized, it is the step to prove that it was used to attack the victim. DNA analysis together with the medicolegal findings will prove that the seized object is the murder weapon

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Conclusion