Summary
A small, solid fragment removed from a wound on a hand of a murder suspect was submitted to electron microprobe analysis and found to have the properties of dental porcelain. A sample of porcelain removed from the dental bridge of the deceased had an essentially similar elemental profile. This investigation assisted the Court by providing valuable objective evidence of a physical contact between the accused and the victim.
Zusammenfassung
Ein kleines, festes Teilchen aus der Handwunde eines Tatverdächtigen wies bei Elektronenstrahl-Mikroanalyse die Eigenschaften von Dentalporzellan auf. Eine Vergleichsprobe von der Zahnbrücke des getöteten Opfers entsprach in ihrer Elementenzusammensetzung weitgehend der gesicherten Partikel. Aufgrund der Untersuchungsergebnisse sah das Gericht einen physischen Kontakt zwischen Opfer und Tatverdächtigem als erwiesen an.
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Moody, G.H., Busuttil, A. & Hill, P.G. A common origin for dental porcelain derived from an accused's hand and the deceased victim of an assault. Int J Leg Med 105, 179–183 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01625174
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01625174