Spagnoli Laura, Amadasi Alberto, Frustaci Michela, Mazzarelli Debora, Porta Davide, Cattaneo Cristina
LABANOF, Laboratorio di Antropologia e Odontologia Forense, Sezione di Medicina Legale e delle Assicurazioni, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Luigi Mangiagalli 37, 20133, Milan, Italy.
Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2016 Mar;12(1):26-32. doi: 10.1007/s12024-015-9734-0. Epub 2016 Jan 12.
The distinction between cut marks and blunt force injuries on costal cartilages is a crucial issue in the forensic field. Moreover, a correct distinction may further be complicated by decomposition, so the need arises to investigate the distinctive features of lesions on cartilage and their changes over time.
This study aimed to assess the stereomicroscopic features of cut marks (performed with six different knives) and blunt fractures (performed with a hammer and by means of manual bending) on 48 fragments of human costal cartilages. Moreover, in order to simulate decomposition, the cut and fractured surfaces were checked with stereomicroscopy and through casts after 1 and 2 days, 1 week, and 1, 2 and 4 months of drying in ambient air.
In fresh samples, for single and unique cuts, striations were observed in between 44 and 88% of cases when non-serrated blades were used, and between 77 and 88% for serrated blades; in the case of "repeated" (back and forth movement) cuts, striations were detected in between 56 and 89% of cases for non-serrated blades, and between 66 and 100% for serrated blades. After only 1 week of decomposition the detection rates fell to percentages of between 28 and 39% for serrated blades and between 17 and 33% for non-serrated blades. Blunt force injuries showed non-specific characteristics, which, if properly assessed, may lead to a reliable distinction between different cut marks in fresh samples. The most evident alterations of the structure of the cartilage occurred in the first week of decomposition in ambient air. After one week of drying, the characteristics of cut marks were almost undetectable, thereby making it extremely challenging to distinguish between cut marks, blunt force fractures and taphonomic effects.
The study represents a contribution to the correct assessment and distinction of cut marks and blunt force injuries on cartilages, providing a glimpse on the modifications such lesions may undergo with decomposition.
肋软骨上切割痕迹与钝器伤之间的区分是法医学领域的一个关键问题。此外，分解可能会使正确区分进一步复杂化，因此有必要研究软骨损伤的独特特征及其随时间的变化。
本研究旨在评估48块人肋软骨碎片上切割痕迹（用六种不同刀具进行）和钝性骨折（用锤子和手动弯曲方式进行）的体视显微镜特征。此外，为了模拟分解过程，在将切割和骨折表面在环境空气中干燥1天和2天、1周以及1、2和4个月后，通过体视显微镜和铸型进行检查。
在新鲜样本中，对于单次独特切割，使用非锯齿状刀片时，在44%至88%的案例中观察到条纹，使用锯齿状刀片时为77%至88%；对于“重复”（来回移动）切割，非锯齿状刀片在56%至89%的案例中检测到条纹，锯齿状刀片为66%至100%。仅分解1周后，锯齿状刀片的检测率降至28%至39%，非锯齿状刀片降至17%至33%。钝器伤表现出非特异性特征，如果评估得当，可能有助于可靠地区分新鲜样本中的不同切割痕迹。软骨结构最明显的变化发生在环境空气中分解的第一周。干燥一周后，切割痕迹的特征几乎无法检测到，从而使得区分切割痕迹、钝器骨折和尸体变化影响极具挑战性。
该研究有助于正确评估和区分软骨上的切割痕迹和钝器伤，揭示了此类损伤可能因分解而发生的变化。
