Sharp Force Trauma: the Effects of Blade Damage on Cut Mark Characteristics

A considerable number of homicides in the UK are committed by stabbing. While tool mark analysis is fairly accurate in identifying class characteristics of the knife that caused a certain cut mark, the literature lacks studies about individual characteristics transferred from the knife blade to the cut mark. The aim of this study was to determine whether damage on a knife blade was capable of transferring individual characteristics that are unique enough to identify a specific suspect weapon. The blades of six knives were damaged in different ways and used to stab pig ribs (Susscrofadomesticus). The results of this study proved that entrance and exit shape, kerf floor and grooves on the kerf walls closely corresponded to the damage on the knife blade. While it might not yet be possible to identify a specific knife from a cut mark, this study positively recognized on which side of the blade the damage occurred, by assessing the characteristics of the cut marks. These findings can prove to be very useful in investigations where stab marks are caused by a knife with a damaged blade