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Intra-class and inter-class tool discrimination through micro-CT analysis of false starts on bone

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Abstract

Micro-CT has successfully been applied to the characterization of false starts (FSs) and, among several parameters, kerf width seems to correlate to the tool blade. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of micro-CT for the differentiation of saw marks produced by different classes of saws and by saws belonging to the same class and differing only in number of teeth per inches (TPI). A morphological and morphometric analysis of 84 marks, produced by 6 saws belonging to 3 morphological classes, was performed. In the experimental cohort, for each parameter, statistically significant differences in intra- and inter-class analysis were searched for and cut-offs were established. The diagnostic accuracy of cut-offs was assessed through statistical analyses on the validation cohort. The morphological assessment did not allow to differentiate saws differing only in TPI. Angle 1 and top kerf width, respectively for cross-cut and rip-cut saws with alternating set, allowed a good discrimination between FSs produced by tools belonging to the same morphological class. High positive predictive values were found in intra-class analyses, while results in inter-class analyses were less encouraging. In cases of dismemberment, a micro-CT-based analysis of FSs is strongly suggested as a part of a multistep and multimodal methodology of assessment, which includes scanning electron microscopy and stereomicroscopy. A morphological assessment should be followed by an experimental trial and by a morphometric analysis. Further studies are needed to evaluate hampering factors, such as damage by physico-chemical agents.

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Funding

This project received funding by the Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, DOR1884238 of the University of Padova.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Radiology, Department of Medicine–DIMED, University-Hospital Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy

    Chiara Giraudo, Lisa Martinuzzo, Sofia Moschi & Emilio Quaia

  2. Department of Legal and Occupational Medicine, Toxicology and Public Health, University-Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35128, Padova, Italy

    Massimo Montisci, Arianna Giorgetti, Guido Viel & Giovanni Cecchetto

  3. Unit of Forensic Medicine, Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo, 71, 41124, Modena, Italy

    Marco Bisceglia

  4. Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Paolo Fais

  5. Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Michael Weber

Authors
  1. Chiara Giraudo
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  2. Massimo Montisci
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  3. Arianna Giorgetti
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  4. Lisa Martinuzzo
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  5. Marco Bisceglia
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  6. Sofia Moschi
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  7. Paolo Fais
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  8. Michael Weber
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  9. Emilio Quaia
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  10. Guido Viel
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  11. Giovanni Cecchetto
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guido Viel.

Ethics declarations

All the experiments performed in the study comply with the current Italian laws and the local ethical rules. The bones used in the experiment were collected from limbs surgically amputated for medical reasons; this material does not belong to the subject after amputation (no informed consent necessary) and can be used for scientific experiments after approval of the Ethical Committee (Ethical Committee of the University-Hospital of Padua: Protocol n. 2013P).

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Giraudo, C., Montisci, M., Giorgetti, A. et al. Intra-class and inter-class tool discrimination through micro-CT analysis of false starts on bone. Int J Legal Med 134, 1023–1032 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-019-02157-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-019-02157-3

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