Microscopic characteristics of hacking trauma
Tucker, B.K.; Hutchinson, D.L.; Gilliland, M.F.; Charles, T.M.; Daniel, H.J.; Wolfe, L.D.
Journal of Forensic Sciences 46(2): 234-240
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1198 PMID: 11305424 Document Number: 540480
The purpose of this study was to determine if it is possible to associate machetes, axes, and cleavers with the microscopic parallel striations they leave on the cut surfaces of the bone. Hacking trauma was experimentally inflicted on pig bones using machetes, axes, and cleavers. Negative impressions of both the cut surfaces of the bone and the weapon blades were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. The results of this investigation indicate that it is possible to correlate a class of hacking weapons to trauma inflicted on bone by these weapons.