Stabbing is the most common cause of homicide in the United Kingdom. Stabbing can be caused by so many objects, for example steak knives, scissors, screwdrivers, broken glass bottles and so on. The individual characteristics of these instruments create specific features when they penetrate a surface of fabrics and skin. When examining textile damages, two common techniques are considered i.e. macroscopically (with the naked eye) and microscopically examining the area that might have possible damages to the fabric. Also, looking at the characteristics of the area to discover whether the textile has been torn, punctured, cut etc... When examining textile damages, such information like the size of the knife blade and the types can be …show more content…
Deliberate lateral, forward, or backward movement of the weapon during its withdrawal from the body tends to widen the wound, and the length will be more than the maximum width of the blade. If the instrument is thrust in, and is then completely withdrawn with the cutting edge dragging against one end, it would be extended superficially, producing a tail. • Width: If examining so may stab wounds in the body, the length and the width of the knife blade can be known. By examining multiple stab wound in the body, the length and width of the knife blade can be determined approximately. The maximum possible width of the knife blade can be approximately determined if the edges of a gaping wound are brought together. Elasticity or laxness of the skin can change the width by one to two millimeters. A stab wound inflicted when the skin is stretched will be long and thin, which becomes shorter and broader when the skin is relaxed. The opening may be enlarged by backward, forward or a lateral movement of the weapon. In a recent local court case, the identity of the purported murder weapon was questioned when the length of a stab-cut in a shirt was less than the width of the alleged weapon at the determined depth of penetration. It was postulated by the prosecution that this result was due to stretching of the fabric of the shirt. There are many variables which can be expected to affect the length of a stab-cut dimension in a garment. among them are the degree of stretch of
Forensic ballistics and firearm investigation begin when the bullets, cartridges, a weapon, or any combination of the above found at a crime scene. With the evidence, a crime laboratory will explore for clues on some things that might cause a suspect or possible to prove that the things were used in the crime. By contrast, the markings on the bullets or cartridges found at the scene with those discharged from the suspect’s weapon, a ballistics expert will typically confirm if the rounds came from a similar weapon. Just the act of cycling a cartridge through the weapon without firing it will leave permanent scratches on the case that is distinctive to the weapon.
Each tool and weapon was made from certain items, and they each are used in a different way.
The expert testimony in the Wayne Williams case was vital in explaining the evidence to the jury (Imwinkelried, 1983). It is reasonable to concede that jurors have no prior knowledge of forensic science. Additionally, jurors will most likely have no prior knowledge of the different variations, color spectrums, moreover the uniqueness of various items presented as evidence in this case. As a prosecutor, it would important to include the testimony of fiber experts with extensive knowledge of the article presented. This expert would be able to articulate to the jury the unique qualities as well as characteristics of the fibers.
* Flick knives(where the blade is hidden inside the handle and shoots out when a button is pressed)
When anyone mentions the Bowie knife, is there a specific design that comes to mind?
Forensic science is a key aspect of Criminal Justice that helps rid the streets of lunatics and murderers. One of the most important fields of forensic science is blood spatter analysis. Under the Crime Scene Investigation, analysts gather the information that could eventually lead to a victim’s killer. Basic and complex information can be found when analyzing blood. We can learn what kind of weapon was used, the time of death of a victim and other important facts that can help a case. The pattern that the blood gives off give forensic scientists the tools that they need to help solve cases.
He also testified that the tests done on the glove and Bronco were untrustworthy due to sloppy evidence handling. Henry Lee testified that blood swatches collected near the crime scene were left to dry overnight but the evidence showed a damp swatch ended up in Simpson's packaging.
Knives continue to play a significant part in the homicide figures. In 2010, 35 people were killed by sharp instruments, representing 44% of the homicides in Scotland, but how do present times compare to the past. Scotland has always had a strong knife culture, for example the razor gangs in glasgow.
Physicians needed a way to get to the veins of their patients quickly, so several tools were fabricated over the centuries, ensuring a swift puncture; even some punctures with a measurable degree of incision. These tools consisted of lancets and scarifications, which opened the vein; then there were cupping cups and leeches, which allowed a more localized draw from the capillaries. Davis and Apel state, "in the eighteenth century, delicate mechanical spring lancets and scarifications were invented to replace the simpler thumg lancets and fleams." Lancets are surgical knives that bore the greatest amount of liquid; creating an opening approximately one-fifth of an inch. Spring-loaded lancets were the easiest to use because they made consistent cuts whose cuts varied depending on the skill of the physician. Scarificators were brass boxes with a lever on top that released a set of blades which snapped out of slits on the base; offering a consistent depth and length of an incision. Cupping cups were heated while placed on the patients skin. As the cup cooled on the skin, a vacuum type of energy
The United States has been a world leader in homicide for centuries. Indeed, “since the early 19th century ...[America has been] the most homicidal country in the Western world” and holds that title today (Kelley, 2009). In a 2007-2008 list of 31 nations, only two nations, Mexico and Chile, had higher homicide rates (Comparison, 2010). Nations with higher populations, such as India and China have fewer homicides (Comparison, 2010). Further, a nation such as Japan, which has a lower population but a higher population density then the United States, has one of the world’s lowest homicide rates (Comparison, 2010). Population size and density, therefore, cannot be the chief reasons for this nation’s higher homicide rates.
One of the most important purposes of physical evidence is to establish the identity of a suspect or victim. Some of the most valuable clues at a crime scene are fingerprints. "Processing a crime scene" is a long, tedious process that involves focused documentation of the conditions at the scene and the collection of any physical evidence that could possibly shed light on what happened and point to who did it.
Staplers for instance, are nothing but injuries and carnage waiting to happen. A projectile staple, sharper than shards of broken glass and much more unassuming, can take an eye out. Moreover, how many children in this world have accidentally stapled their finger, allowing dirty, rusted metal to enter their bloodstream, causing not only pain
between a cut (an injury that is longer than deep) and a stab wound (an injury
presents a knife identical to the murder weapon--a weapon that the jurors were certain was
Stab wound is one of the commonest mode of homicide. Detailed and careful examination is vital for judicial proceedings. Autopsy examination should tackle mainly two aspects which is the nature of stabbing weapon and characteristic of stab wound. This is a case of homicidal stab wound to the heart.