An Experimental Model of Tool Mark Striations in Soft Tissues Produced by Serrated Blades

Derrick J. Pounder, Lesley Cormack

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    10 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Stab wounds produced by serrated blades are generally indistinguishable from stab wounds produced by nonserrated blades, except when visible tool mark striations are left on severed cartilage. We explored the possibility that similar striations may be produced on the soft tissues of internal organs. Loin of beef, bovine kidney, and pig heart, liver, and aorta were each stabbed 20 times with a coarsely serrated blade. The walls of the stab tracks were exposed and documented by photography, cast with dental impression material, and the casts photographed. Striations were identified in all of the tissues in every stabbing, but their consistency and quality varied between tissues. Striations were most easily seen in liver, heart, and aorta. Tool mark striations in soft tissues other than cartilage have not been described in homicidal stabbings, likely because they have not been sought. We suggest that the walls of stab wound tracks should be exposed, and tissue striations should be sought as a means of identifying the weapon as having a serrated blade.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)90-92
    Number of pages3
    JournalAmerican Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
    Volume32
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Mar 2011

    Keywords

    • stab wounds
    • serrated knives
    • striations
    • heart
    • liver
    • SHARP
    • FORCE

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'An Experimental Model of Tool Mark Striations in Soft Tissues Produced by Serrated Blades'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this