UCL Institute of Archaeology

Forensic anthropology of bone trauma

The main objective of the study was to determine the type of macroscopic trauma created by flat-tipped and cross-tipped screwdrivers on bare and clothed torsos. Injuries to human ribs were replicated by using the ribs of domesticated pigs (Sus scrofa), the latter being covered with light cotton or denim fabric; two types of stabbing motions were utilized – perpendicular and oblique.

The second objective was to determine if the trauma inflicted by the two types of screwdrivers could be macroscopically differentiated.

The research found that both types of screwdrivers can indeed be differentiated by the macroscopic characteristics that they inflict upon bone, with the cross tipped type causing the most trauma.

Additionally, denim shielded potential victims the most effectively against stab force when compared to other fabric types utilized in the study.

This research is linked to other Experimental Forensic Analyses.

Related outputs

• Preliminary results first presented at the 2005 Islington Training Day, Metropolitan Police, London, UK.
  Making police personnel aware of the importance of forensic anthropology in the application of justice through accurate and careful examination of bone trauma during post mortem analysis.
• The popular American forensic mystery writer Mr. Aaron Elkins used the publication for research for his novel Skull Duggery, New York: Berkley Publishing Group, 2009.
• Research on exhibition at the A.G. Leventis Gallery, UCL Institute of Archaeology, 2010-2011.
• Croft, A.; Ferllini, R. Macroscopic Characteristics of Screwdriver Trauma. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2007, 52(6):1243-1255.
  This publication was the first ever on this subject utilising bone tissue (Sus scrofa) and was addressed to forensic anthropologists and other forensic scientists, including pathologists. Previously, research with screwdrivers was directed only at their connection with soft tissue wounds.

Funding

•  UCL Institute of Archaeology