NCJ Number
182625
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 44 Issue: 4 Dated: July 1999 Pages: 720-723
Editor(s)
R. E. Gaensslen Ph.D.
Date Published
1999
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Forensic anthropological tenets supported by William Maples provide the basis for a case study from a human identification laboratory.
Abstract
Using a multidisciplinary team that included police investigators, pathologists, odontologists, entomologists, and anthropologists, a biological profile and trauma analysis were constructed. The analysis determined the decedent was a middle-aged Hispanic male, approximately 5 feet 6 inches in stature who died a minimum of 3 months before the discovery of his remains. Gross and microscopic analysis revealed 11 areas of sharp trauma to the skull and cervical vertebrae. To aid with the analysis of the trauma, non-human trauma exemplars were created using a fear flail mower of the make known to have been used at the scene where the remains were uncovered. This use of non-human trauma exemplars proved to be essential in the effort to exclude the rear flail mower as the possible trauma agent. 22 references and 5 figures