Human Variation and Identification Research Unit (HVIRU), School of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa.
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa.
Int J Legal Med. 2022 Sep;136(5):1417-1430. doi: 10.1007/s00414-022-02845-7. Epub 2022 Jun 2.
Victims of violent crime often have evidence of sharp force trauma (SFT) which needs to be examined to accurately investigate these cases. The abilities of CTs, X-rays, and Lodox to detect skeletal SFT defects and the minimum number of impacts were assessed, as were their abilities to macroscopically interpret SFT with the aim of identifying the class of weapon used. Ten pigs were, post-mortem, stabbed using a kitchen knife on one side of the body and chopped using a panga on the other side. They were then scanned and macerated. The number of SFT defects, type of SFT, and minimum number of impacts identifiable osteologically were recorded, as well as when using each imaging modality. CTs were most sensitive for detecting stab and chop defects (56.7% and 78.3%, respectively) and the minimum number of impacts (82.8%), while X-rays were least sensitive (17.2% for stab wounds, 46.5% for chop marks, and 43.5% for impacts). Lodox detected 26.8% of stab defects, 59.3% of chop marks, and 58.4% of impacts. The type of SFT for more than 70.0% of identified defects was correctly classified using all methods, while only Lodox had moderate sensitivities for stab wounds (52.4%). When radiological assessments of skeletal SFT are required, CTs should be performed, but Lodox can be used as an alternative. However, dry bone analyses still produce the best results and should be performed whenever possible. Macroscopic interpretations of skeletal SFT to broadly determine the class of weapon used is possible radiologically.
暴力犯罪的受害者通常会有锐器创伤（SFT）的证据，需要对这些证据进行检查，以准确调查这些案件。本研究评估了 CT、X 射线和 Lodox 检测骨骼 SFT 缺陷和最小打击数的能力，以及它们在宏观上解释 SFT 以确定所使用武器类型的能力。10 头猪死后，在一侧用厨刀刺伤，在另一侧用大砍刀砍伤。然后对它们进行扫描和粉碎。记录了 SFT 缺陷的数量、SFT 的类型和可从骨骼上识别的最小打击数，以及每种成像方式的使用情况。CT 对检测刺伤和砍伤缺陷最敏感（分别为 56.7%和 78.3%）和最小打击数（82.8%），而 X 射线最不敏感（刺伤为 17.2%，砍痕为 46.5%，打击数为 43.5%）。Lodox 检测到 26.8%的刺伤缺陷、59.3%的砍痕和 58.4%的打击数。使用所有方法都可以正确分类超过 70.0%的已识别缺陷的 SFT 类型，而只有 Lodox 对刺伤的敏感性适中（52.4%）。当需要对骨骼 SFT 进行放射学评估时，应进行 CT 检查，但也可以使用 Lodox 作为替代方法。然而，干骨分析仍然可以产生最佳结果，只要有可能，就应进行干骨分析。从宏观上判断所使用武器类型，对骨骼 SFT 进行放射学评估是可行的。
