title: Forensic Analysis of a Contact Lens in a Murder Case.
abstract: Contact lenses have had rare relevance in trials and/or investigations. After 5 years of burial, orbital remnants were retrieved from an exhumed body and subsequently identified as a key piece of material evidence in a murder trial. The exhumed case materials were evaluated under laboratory conditions and were determined to be contact lens remnants. Contact lens fracture and burial simulation studies were performed to provide additional corroboration of the physical findings of the exhumed contact lens remnants. This material evidence was instrumental in providing factual proof refuting the defendant's testimony in the murder trial. A brief history of contact lens composition and use is provided for understanding the methods and observational results. This forensic case study represents the first published documentation of a contact lens from an exhumed body being used in a murder investigation and establishes an operational procedure for future forensic contact lens examinations.
authors.affiliation: Goldsboro Eye Clinic, 2709 Medical Office Place, Goldsboro, NC, 27534.
authors.forename: Charles S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Zwerling
mesh_terms: D003261:Contact Lenses; D049249:Exhumation; D005260:Female; D049429:Forensic Pathology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D013048:Specimen Handling
keywords: abaroa murder; forensic contact lenses; forensic inversion marks; forensic murder exhumation; forensic ophthalmology; forensic science; forensic simulated burial