Effects of household corrosive chemicals on the identification of toolmarks on bone
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Abstract
This study investigated toolmarks on porcine bone made by different tools and compared them to test toolmarks made by the same tool to determine the likelihood of achieving an identification for a specific tool. It is possible to make a toolmark identification through macroscopic analysis using both class and individual characteristics depending on the uniqueness of the tool in question. In particular, the results demonstrated that for toolmarks made using the crowbar, similar class and individual characteristics were observed when comparing the test and bone toolmarks, but the toolmarks on bone lacked sufficient detail for a conclusive identification. For toolmarks made using the saw, similar class and individual characteristics were observed when comparing the test toolmarks and toolmarks on bone but no observable individual characteristics could be visualized. For the axe, ice pick, chisel, and knife, similar class characteristics to that of the test toolmarks were observed on bone but no observable individual characteristics were seen. The tool with the most potential for individual identification was the screwdriver, which created some toolmarks on bone that showed similar class and individual characteristics as the test toolmarks.
Secondly, this study looked at the effects of household corrosive chemicals on the visualization of toolmarks on bone. Sulfuric acid 93% was the most corrosive with all toolmarks completely eradicated by 21 hours of submersion. The next most corrosive chemical was caustic lye since all toolmarks were completely erased by 47 hours. After lye, sulfuric acid 51% was most corrosive; all toolmarks were completely eradicated by 7 days of submersion. Acetic acid was more corrosive than hydrofluoric acid 2.5%, since acetic acid completely eroded 2 out of 3 toolmarks by day 6 and hydrofluoric acid 2.5% only completely erased 1 out of 3 toolmarks by day 6. Hydrochloric acid 9.5%, phosphorus 50%, and bleach all showed similar degrees of corrosiveness since all toolmarks were present for the three chemicals at the completion of the experiment.
Description
2024