title: Comparison of macroscopic and microscopic (stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy) features of bone lesions due to hatchet hacking trauma.
abstract: This experimental study examined the lesions produced by a hatchet on human bones (tibiae). A total of 30 lesions were produced and examined macroscopically (naked eye) and by stereomicroscopy. 13 of them were also analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. The general shape of the lesion, both edges, both walls, the kerf floor and the extremities were described. The length and maximum width of the lesions were also recorded. The microscopic analysis of the lesions led to the description of a sharp-blunt mechanism. Specific criteria were identified (lateral pushing back, fragmentation of the upraising, fossa dug laterally to the edge and vertical striae) enabling the forensic expert to conclude that a hacking instrument was used. These criteria are easily identifiable using scanning electron microscopy, but can also be observed with stereomicroscopy. Overall, lateral pushing back and vertical striae visible using stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy signal the use of a hacking tool.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Médecine Légale et d'Anthropologie médico-légale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Côte d'Azur, 28 avenue de Valombrose, 06107, Nice cedex 2, France. luisa.nogueira@unice.fr.
authors.forename: Luísa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nogueira
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Médecine Légale et d'Anthropologie médico-légale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Côte d'Azur, and CEPAM (UMR CNRS 7264), 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107, Nice cedex 2, France.
authors.forename: Gérald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Quatrehomme
authors.affiliation: Université Nice Sophia Antipolis, EA 7534 MICORALIS, and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Pôle d'Odontologie, 24 Avenue des Diables Bleus, 06357, Nice cedex 4, France.
authors.forename: Marie-France
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Bertrand
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Médecine Légale et d'Anthropologie médico-légale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Côte d'Azur, 28 avenue de Valombrose, 06107, Nice cedex 2, France.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rallon
authors.affiliation: Université Nice Sophia Antipolis, UFR d'Odontologie, and Aix-Marseille Université, UMR 7268 ADES, 24 Avenue des Diables Bleus, 06357, Nice cedex 4, France.
authors.forename: Romain
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ceinos
authors.affiliation: Edhec Business School, 393 Promenade des Anglais, BP 3116, 06202, Nice cedex 3, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: du Jardin
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Bio-Culturelle, Droit, Éthique et Santé, Faculté de Médecine de Marseille, Université d'Aix-Marseille, UMR 7268 ADES, Secteur Nord, Bâtiment A - CS80011, Bd Pierre Dramard 13344, Marseille cedex 15, France.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adalian
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Médecine Légale et d'Anthropologie médico-légale, Faculté de Médecine, Université Côte d'Azur, and CEPAM (UMR CNRS 7264), 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107, Nice cedex 2, France.
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Alunni
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013977:Tibia / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Bone trauma; Forensic anthropology; Hacking tool; Hatchet marks; Scanning electron microscopy; Stereomicroscopy