Analysis of microtraces in invasive traumas using SEM/EDS. 2012

E J Vermeij, and P D Zoon, and S B C G Chang, and I Keereweer, and R Pieterman, and R R R Gerretsen
Netherlands Forensic Institute, The Hague, Netherlands. e.vermeij@nfi.minjus.nl

Scanning electron microscopy in combination with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDS) is a proven forensic tool and has been used to analyze several kinds of trace evidence. A forensic application of SEM/EDS is the examination of morphological characteristics of tool marks that tools and instruments leave on bone. The microtraces that are left behind by these tools and instruments on the bone are, however, often ignored or not noticed at all. In this paper we will describe the use of SEM/EDS for the analysis of microtraces in invasive sharp-force, blunt-force and bone-hacking traumas in bone. This research is part of a larger multi-disciplinary approach in which pathologists, forensic anthropologists, toolmark and microtrace experts work together to link observed injuries to a suspected weapon or, in case of an unknown weapon, to indicate a group of objects that could have been used as a weapon. Although there are a few difficulties one have to consider, the method itself is rather simple and straightforward to apply. A sample of dry and clean bone is placed into the SEM sample chamber and brightness and contrast are set such that bone appears grey, metal appears white and organic material appears black. The sample is then searched manually to find relevant features. Once features are found their elemental composition is measured by an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). This method is illustrated using several cases. It is shown that SEM/EDS analysis of microtraces in bone is a valuable tool to get clues about an unknown weapon and can associate a specific weapon with injuries on the basis of appearance and elemental composition. In particular the separate results from the various disciplines are complementary and may be combined to reach a conclusion with a stronger probative value. This is not only useful in the courtroom but above all in criminal investigations when one have to know for what weapon or object to look for.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008855 Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Microscopy in which the object is examined directly by an electron beam scanning the specimen point-by-point. The image is constructed by detecting the products of specimen interactions that are projected above the plane of the sample, such as backscattered electrons. Although SCANNING TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY also scans the specimen point by point with the electron beam, the image is constructed by detecting the electrons, or their interaction products that are transmitted through the sample plane, so that is a form of TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY. Scanning Electron Microscopy,Electron Scanning Microscopy,Electron Microscopies, Scanning,Electron Microscopy, Scanning,Electron Scanning Microscopies,Microscopies, Electron Scanning,Microscopies, Scanning Electron,Microscopy, Electron Scanning,Microscopy, Scanning Electron,Scanning Electron Microscopies,Scanning Microscopies, Electron,Scanning Microscopy, Electron
D001842 Bone and Bones A specialized CONNECTIVE TISSUE that is the main constituent of the SKELETON. The principal cellular component of bone is comprised of OSTEOBLASTS; OSTEOCYTES; and OSTEOCLASTS, while FIBRILLAR COLLAGENS and hydroxyapatite crystals form the BONE MATRIX. Bone Tissue,Bone and Bone,Bone,Bones,Bones and Bone,Bones and Bone Tissue,Bony Apophyses,Bony Apophysis,Condyle,Apophyses, Bony,Apophysis, Bony,Bone Tissues,Condyles,Tissue, Bone,Tissues, Bone
D006708 Homicide The killing of one person by another. Murder,Killing,Wrongful Death,Death, Wrongful,Deaths, Wrongful,Homicides,Killings,Murders,Wrongful Deaths
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013052 Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission The spectrometric analysis of fluorescent X-RAYS, i.e. X-rays emitted after bombarding matter with high energy particles such as PROTONS; ELECTRONS; or higher energy X-rays. Identification of ELEMENTS by this technique is based on the specific type of X-rays that are emitted which are characteristic of the specific elements in the material being analyzed. The characteristic X-rays are distinguished and/or quantified by either wavelength dispersive or energy dispersive methods. Particle-Induced X-Ray Emission Spectrometry,Proton-Induced X-Ray Emission Spectrometry,Spectrometry, Particle-Induced X-Ray Emission,Spectrometry, Proton-Induced X-Ray Emission,Spectrometry, X-Ray Fluorescence,X-Ray Emission Spectrometry,X-Ray Emission Spectroscopy,X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry,Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry,Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy,Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry,Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy,Particle Induced X Ray Emission Spectrometry,Proton Induced X Ray Emission Spectrometry,Spectrometry, Particle Induced X Ray Emission,Spectrometry, Proton Induced X Ray Emission,Spectrometry, Xray Emission,Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry,Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy,Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry,Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy,X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy,Xray Emission Spectroscopy,Emission Spectrometry, X-Ray,Emission Spectrometry, Xray,Emission Spectroscopy, X-Ray,Emission Spectroscopy, Xray,Energy Dispersive X Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry,Energy Dispersive X Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy,Energy Dispersive X Ray Spectrometry,Energy Dispersive X Ray Spectroscopy,Fluorescence Spectrometry, X-Ray,Fluorescence Spectroscopy, X-Ray,Spectrometry, X Ray Emission,Spectrometry, X Ray Fluorescence,Spectroscopy, X-Ray Emission,Spectroscopy, X-Ray Fluorescence,Spectroscopy, Xray Emission,Wavelength Dispersive X Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry,Wavelength Dispersive X Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy,Wavelength Dispersive X Ray Spectrometry,Wavelength Dispersive X Ray Spectroscopy,X Ray Emission Spectrometry,X Ray Emission Spectroscopy,X Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry,X Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy,X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopies,Xray Emission Spectrometry
D014949 Wounds, Nonpenetrating Injuries caused by impact with a blunt object where there is no penetration of the skin. Blunt Injuries,Injuries, Nonpenetrating,Injuries, Blunt,Nonpenetrating Injuries,Blunt Injury,Injury, Blunt,Injury, Nonpenetrating,Nonpenetrating Injury,Nonpenetrating Wound,Nonpenetrating Wounds,Wound, Nonpenetrating
D014951 Wounds, Stab Penetrating wounds caused by a pointed object. Stab Wound,Stab Wounds,Wound, Stab
D049429 Forensic Pathology The application of pathology to questions of law. Pathology, Forensic
D054041 Weapons Devices or tools used in combat or fighting in order to kill or incapacitate. Weapon

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