Sharp force trauma relating to cultural anthropology

CASE REPORT

PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY

Tania Delabarde,1 Ph.D. and Bertrand Ludes,2 M.D., Ph.D.

Missing in Amazonian Jungle: A Case Report of Skeletal Evidence for Dismemberment*

ABSTRACT: This case study presents the results of the recovery and analysis of three sets of disarticulated and incomplete human remains found in Ecuador, within the Amazonian jungle. Recovered body parts sustained extensive sharp force trauma situated on different aspect of the skel- eton. The anthropological examination (bone reassembly, biological profile) was followed by a detailed analysis of cut marks, including a basic experimental study on pig bones to demonstrate that dismemberment may have occurred within a certain amount of time after death. Despite the location (deep into the Amazonian jungle) and the perpetrator’s actions (dismemberment and dispersion of body parts in a river), forensic work both on the field and in laboratory allowed identification of the victims and the reconstruction of the sequence of events.

KEYWORDS: forensic science, dismemberment, cut marks, chain saw, machete, postmortem interval

Dismemberment, the intentional separation of body segments, is known to be the major postmortem activity performed by humans on the remains of others (1). The main objective is to prevent iden- tification of the victim by destroying body integrity as well as criminal evidence. Consequently, dismemberment is generally asso- ciated with homicide. Nevertheless, some authors presented cases where dismemberment injuries were linked to the cause of death (e.g., dismemberment as means of torture) (2,3). Consequently, it is essential if possible to determine the nature and sequence of inju- ries (perimortem ⁄ postmortem). Dismemberment patterns are of particular importance as the actions and instruments used are a clear expression of the perpetrator’s intentions (4). Localized dismemberments involve the separation of some parts of the body and are commonly associated with hindered identifications, easing transport, or body disposal, while generalized dismemberments involve cuts to all aspects of body and are more often correlated with specific intentions (i.e., disregard of the victim or hiding evidence in sexual homicides). Specific capacities of the perpetrator (knowledge of anatomy, use of specific instrument) could be also determined based on the analysis of cut marks.

Sharp force trauma refers to injury produced by instrument that may incise, cut, chop, dent, or crush the bone tissue. Generally, injuries related to dismemberment are caused by cutting (knives), chopping (axes), and chiseling (saw). When a body is well pre- served, analysis of soft tissue injuries represents the first step. Vari- ous aspects of the lesion usually present sharp force characteristics (e.g., incised wound with an associated groove or cut in the

underlying bone) with severed skin and adjacent tissues (5). Never- theless, soft tissue injuries linked to dismemberment do not provide as much relevant data as bone tissue. The response to sharp force injury will greatly differ according to the biomechanical properties of the involved tissue. Because of their elastic limit and tolerance, soft tissue will be more damaged and stretched, which is not indic- ative of the causative instrument. Many publications demonstrate the potential of cut marks in bone to identify the causative instru- ment and lead to the perpetrator (4,6–13). Like other mechanisms of injury, analysis of sharp force trauma in bone is based on frac- ture patterns and defect morphology. Variability of wounds depends on the physical properties of causative instrument and the biome- chanical properties of the affected bone (7). Because of the cost and gain of time, toothed instruments, and more specifically saws, are preferably used in dismemberment cases. During cutting, striae are formed by the uneven action of teeth on the wall of the cut. Power saws with small teeth leave the finest striations, while hand saws with fewer teeth cause most prominent striae. The number of striae correlates to the number of teeth. Therefore, marks will be used to determine general class characteristics (size, shape, width, and set of teeth) as well as the sawing action of the user (12).

Case History and Methods

Between December 2006 and March 2007, three sets of disartic- ulated human remains exhibiting extensive sharp force trauma were found in different locations within a small area of the Amazonian Jungle in the Ecuadorian territory. In August 2006, two European tourists were reported missing in this area. On December 19, 2006, the lower half of a body designated as set #1 (partially skeletonized pelvic girdle, both legs and foot) was found by local fishermen, lying on the border at the confluence between Pastaza and Puyo Rivers. The body part was still wearing underwear and pants. On February 22, 2007, the upper half of a body designated as set #2 was found in a plastic bag lying on the shore of the Paztaza River. The remains (head, trunk, and arms) were partially disarticulated and skeletonized and associated with a sports jacket and tee-shirt.

1French Institute of Andean Studies, Whymper 442 y CoruÇa, Quito, Ecuador.

2Institute of Legal Medicine, 11 rue de Humann, Universit� de Stras- bourg, 4 rue Kirschleger, 67000 Strasbourg, F-67085 Strasbourg Cedex, France.

*Presented at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, February 22, 2008, in Washington, DC.

Received 31 Dec. 2008; and in revised form 1 Mar. 2009; accepted 29 Mar. 2009.

[Correction added after online publication 25 March 2010: Throughout the text, ‘‘pelvic griddle’’ has been corrected to read ‘‘pelvic girdle.’’]

J Forensic Sci, July 2010, Vol. 55, No. 4 doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01367.x

Available online at: interscience.wiley.com

� 2010 American Academy of Forensic Sciences 1105

Evidence of carnivore scavenging was found on distal extremity of right humerus and proximal extremity of right radius and ulna. On the March 11, 2007, a third set of human remains designated as set #3 (pelvic girdle articulated with both femurs) was exhumed from a grave dug by the Natives. According to their testimony, they found the body parts lying on the shore of the Paztaza River in January 2007 and decided to bury them and then called police investigators. The delay between the finding and exhumation is cor- related with the location of the scene deep inside the Amazonian forest. The remains were consistent with a saponified pelvic girdle articulated to both femurs. This body part was still wearing male

underwear. The three sets of remains were sent to the Quito mortu- ary, and our participation was requested at this stage.

The forensic examination was performed by two pathologists and one anthropologist (TD). Examination of the soft tissues and organs was very limited because of the state of decomposition. The possibility to assess time since death was restricted, considering that body parts usually decompose at a slower rate than the whole corpse and also taking into account the delay between discovery and forensic examination (no refrigeration was available in this region, and no specific transport either). The first issue of the anthropological analysis was to determine the exact number of

TABLE 1—Description and characterization of sharp force injuries sustained by Victim 1 and Victim 2. (First number in SFT# refers to set of remains: 1.3 designated set #1 injury 3).

SFT# Type Location and Measurements Characteristics Estimated

Causative Tool

1.1 False start kerf At the junction between left iliopubic ramus and acetabulum (18 · 6 · 5 mm)

Concave defect associated with a fracture running to the medial aspect of left iliopubic ramus and bone spalling

Power saw (chain saw?)

1.2 Complete transverse- sectioned bone cut

Circular defect located on the antero-superior aspect of the left femoral head (19 mm diam approx)

Ablation of a circular portion of left femoral head, clear section bone cut (polish appearance), no associated fracture. Anatomically linked to the false start described above (#1.1)

Power saw (chain saw?)

1.3 Cut mark (slipped mark)

At the level of the superior anterior margin of acetabulum (12 · 3 · 1 mm)

Superficial defect with polish appearance; this could be the result of the tool blade slipping during cutting intent previously described (#1.1)

Power saw (chain saw?)

1.4 False start kerf At the level of the anterior inferior iliac spine (19 · 7 · 15 mm)

Kerf wall exhibits a clean cut section followed by irregular kerf floor with bone spalling and fractures; this may be linked to vibration and ⁄ or resistance that led to abandoning this location

Power saw (chain saw?)

1.5 False start kerf At the level of the inferior gluteal line (34 · 10 · 13 mm)

Very irregular kerf wall exhibiting tooth bite that reflects a problematic blade progress (vibrations ⁄ resistance?) that led to abandoning this location

Power saw (chain saw?)

1.6 Complete transverse- sectioned bone cut

Superior aspect (1 ⁄ 4) of both ilium bones is missing, posterior aspect of sacrum is missing at the level of S1-S2, left ala is missing

Entrance just above the previously cut section described (#1.5) the blade progressed through left ilium to sacrum and right ilium (notch on right sacro-ilac joint and notch on right anterior superior iliac spine); clear bone section on right os coxa; the anterior aspect of pelvic girdle exhibits bone spalling associated with running fractures, exit chipping on the posterior aspect of both os coxae, exit at the level of the anterior superior iliac spine of right ox coxa (left to right ⁄ below to above)

Power saw (chain saw?)

2.1 Complete transverse- sectioned bone cut

At the level of the inferior aspect of body and spinous process of lumbar 4 (one-third of the body and inferior articular facets are missing)

Entrance on the anterior aspect of vertebral body in the midline, cut section exhibited weavy-edged walls followed by a bone island located on the posterior portion of vertebral body, suggesting a slight change of plane stroke but without interruption of the cut section with an exit in spinous process (front to back ⁄ above to below)

Power saw (chain saw?)

2.2 Irregular incomplete defect

At the level of the medial border of left scapula, there is a linear incomplete defect (22 · 5 mm) at 21 mm from the junction with the scapular line

Anteriorly, the defect is more regular, and the inferior end showed a quadrangular shape associated with a slight displacement with plastic deformation of the adjacent bone. The medial wall of the defect is almost linear with some irregularities. Posteriorly, the medial wall showed jagged edges and detached fragments of bone associated in the inferior end of the injury with a radiating fracture line running to the scapular spine. The defect is consistent with penetrating injury caused by a bladed instrument. The indentation of the medial wall and detached bone fragments are correlated with the rotation and withdraw of the blade.

Bladed instrument (knife?)

3.1 Chop cut mark (12 · 2 mm) is located on the medial aspect of patellar surface (left femur)

Small concave defect exhibits bone flaking associated with fracture (left patella was missing; tibia and fibula are absent)

Heavy blade (machete?)

3.2 Chop cut mark (10 · 3 mm) is located on the lateral aspect of patellar surface (left femur)

The defect exhibits multiple facets and bone flaking associated with fracture. In both cases, the impact was oblique to the femur, and injury was inflicted from front to back

Heavy blade (machete?)

3.4 Complete transverse- sectioned bone cut

A quadrangular cut section (53 · 30 · 1.5 mm) is located on the medial condyle (left femur)

Entrance on the posterior aspect of medial condyle, cut section exhibits a bone island suggesting a slight change of plane stroke but without interruption of the cut section with an exit in the anterior aspect of medial condyle (back to front)

Power saw (chain saw?)

3.5 Ovalar cut section (25 · 15 mm) is located on the lateral condyle (left femur)

The defect exhibits a clear cut surface with polish appearance and no fracture, probably related to previous cut section (#3.4) as both condyles of left femur sustained same cutting plane

Power saw (chain saw?)

3.6 Ovalar cut section (20 ·15 mm) is located on the inferior margin of lateral condyle (right femur)

The defect exhibits a clear cut surface with polish appearance and no fracture (right patella is present and exhibits no evidence of injury; tibia and fibula are absent)

Power saw (chain saw?)

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individuals through bone reassembly and exclusion. The three sets of remains showed very different long bone proportions. Following Konisgberg’s recommendations (14), stature was estimated with two variables (humerus and femur length). These measurements allow associating set #2 and set #3 and excluding set #1. The deter- mination of sex was based upon the morphology of both pelvic gir- dles (set #1 and set #3) and the skull (set #2) combined with measurements of long bones from all sets. Age estimation was per- formed with the combination of traditional methods for adults based on 4th rib and pubic symphisis (1). The medial extremities of both clavicles from set #2 were partially fused, and fusion lines on femoral head were still visible on set #1. The three sets of remains were determined to belong to two young Caucasian adult men. Individual characteristics were also relevant on set #2 (head, trunk, and arms) with the presence of a healed fracture on right clavicle midshaft and conclusive dental data. Results of the forensic examination were consistent with the antemortem data of the two missing persons. Clothing associated with the remains was also rec- ognized by the families. Considering that osteological data from set #3 were not relevant to missing person reports, DNA samples were sent from each of the three sets of remains. Reassembly of the vic- tims’ remains and identification were later confirmed by DNA testing.

The body parts sustained a number of cut marks situated on dif- ferent aspects of the skeleton; some of them were not visible when soft tissue was still attached, showing the importance of bone cleaning. Each cut mark is listed in Table 1 with the location, num- ber, type (e.g., false start), and measurements (e.g., width, length, and depth) following standard anthropological protocols (4,6). According to Symes recommendation, false starts were distin- guished from slipped marks of the blade (12) (Table 1).

Results

Victim 1 (set #3)

Victim 1 is only represented by lower half of body and sustained a complete separation at the level of the pelvic girdle (Fig. 1). False starts at the level of the left acetabulum were followed by a successful separation at the level of upper portion of pelvic. Direc- tion of blade progress is traced from hesitation marks to breakaway spur: exit chipping is because of bone spalling as teeth exit the bone and indicate direction of cutting stroke (6). False starts on left os coxa (Fig. 2), notch on right sacro-iliac joint and right anterior superior iliac spine, and exit chipping on the posterior aspect of

both os coxae (Fig. 3) suggested that the victim was lying on the lateral right side, the saw blade entered on left os coxa and progressed through the sacrum to the right os coxa. Therefore, the perpetrator probably stood at the back of the victim.

Victim 2 (set #1 and set #2)

Victim 2 was almost complete with the exception of lower legs and feet. The left scapula exhibited a defect located on the medial border that is consistent with a penetrating perimortem injury (plas- tic deformation, jagged edges associated with fractures) caused by a bladed instrument (Fig. 4). Shape and size of the defect suggest that the blade could have penetrated enough to perforate the left lung. It is important however to stress that no evidence of sharp force trauma was observed on adjacent ribs. This could be corre- lated with the position of the scapula (e.g., the medial border could have been almost parallel to the ribs to allow the penetration with- out damage). The location of this injury is considered as lethal if untreated. Victim 2 also presented the successful separation of trunk at the level of lumbar 4th. Orientation of striae and bone islands suggests that the saw penetrated on the anterior right aspect

FIG. 1—General view of sectioned pelvic girdle from Victim 1.

FIG. 2—View of left coxo-femoral articulation from Victim 1 with false starts.

FIG. 3—Posterior view of left os coxa from Victim 1 with false start and tooth impression.

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of lumbar body at the level of midline and exited through the spi- nous process (Figs. 5 and 6). The victim was probably lying on the back, and the perpetrator stood at the right side of the victim according to blade progress. The distal epiphysis of left femur sus- tained two injuries inflicted by a heavy blade and two others related with the use of a power saw (Fig. 7). There was almost cer- tainly a first attempt to separate legs with a bladed instrument (anterior aspect of condyles), and then a power saw was success- fully used (entrance on the posterior aspect of condyle and exit anteriorly). Chop marks were relevant enough to suspect the use of a machete. Victim 2 also exhibited some evidence of scavenger activity with distal end of right humerus and proximal end of right radius and ulna showing tooth marks. Tooth impressions were con- sistent with small carnivores. It was then established that the remains of this individual were accessible for a certain time to animals.

The total number of sharp force injuries identified on the remains of the two victims is n = 13. Injuries can be divided according to their morphological characteristics and linked with estimated causative instruments:

• n = 10 injuries sustained by both victims showed recognizable features related with the action of a power saw, probably a chain saw (e.g., weavy-edges walls). However, cut marks were described individually and a few of them could be related to the same cutting stroke (e.g., injuries on lateral and medial condyle of left femur, victim 2).

• n = 2 injuries are consistent with chop wounds (concave defect, bone flaking) inflicted with a heavy blade, probably a machete (victim 2).

• n = 1 injury on left scapula is consistent with the penetration and withdrawal of a blade; size and shape of the defect suggest a knife (victim 2).

FIG. 4—Anterior view of left scapula from Victim 2 and detail of the defect located on medial border.

FIG. 5—Caudal view of 4th lumbar from Victim 2 sustaining weavy-edges walls on complete cut section.

FIG. 6—Lateral left view of 4th lumbar from Victim 2 with complete bone section (blade entered on the anterior aspect of vertebral body and exited throught spinous process).

FIG. 7—Left femur of Victim 2 showing quadrangular cut surface result- ing from a change of direction in blade progress on medial condyle and ovular cut surface on lateral condyle.

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Victim 1 (lower half of body) sustained one type of sharp force injury (cut marks produced by power saw), while victim 2 (almost complete body) sustained at least three different types of sharp force trauma (cut marks produced by power saw, cut marks pro- duced by heavy blade, and one penetrating injury produced by a blade).

The timing of injuries is one important consideration in the eval- uation of any skeletal trauma with respect to death (15). In cases of dismemberment, the main limitation in determining cause of death is the absence of some organs and parts of the body. The cause of death was ascertained for victim 2 (perimortem injury on left scap- ula) but remains unascertained for victim 1. The location of the other sharp force trauma (trunk and knees) is characteristic of a dis- memberment activity with the successful separation of body seg- ments. It is probably not a coincidence if the victim who sustained cut marks both at the level of trunk and at knee joint was the taller of the two missing persons (ease transport?). The position of the bodies and successful separation of body segments (trunk and legs) suggest postmortem dismemberment. No evidence of defense wound was found on both victims’ remains. Saw cut characteristics indicate a mechanically powered saw (high transfer energy suggests polish and wide kerf widths, and deep false starts) and more specif- ically a chain saw (weavy-edges walls, irregular concave bending striae, bone islands). A review of forensic literature helps to support the hypothesis that cut marks were not presenting characteristics expected, while fresh bone is exposed to a major trauma inflicted with a chain saw (4,6–10,12). A basic experimental study on pig bones was performed to evaluate the postmortem interval between death and dismemberment as well as confirm causative agent related to cut sections. Two adult pigs recently killed were sepa- rated in two groups. Group A represents fresh body parts, while pig parts from group B were buried wrapped in clothing for 5 months in a place with similar outside environmental conditions (temperature ⁄ precipitation) as the jungle. A chain saw commonly used in the Amazonian jungle was employed to dismember fresh pig parts and then buried samples from group B. Because of bio- mechanical properties (e.g., elasticity), fresh pigs bone exhibited less damage, the clearest bone sections (Fig. 8) and noticeable char- acteristics (e.g., exit chipping) than any body parts buried for 5 months. Comparisons between bone cutting sections from pig bones and the actual forensic case were similar enough to deter- mine the chain saw as the causative instrument used for the

successful separation of body segments from the two victims. Despite the lack of laboratory facilities, this experimental study helps us to confirm the causative instrument and establishes the possibility of an interval between death and dismemberment of the two victims as cut marks exhibit characteristics of bone response in drying process.

Discussion

After receiving our forensic report, the police informed us that a chain saw had been observed but not collected during a search in a property of colonists close to locations where the three sets of vic- tims’ remains were discovered. We then participated in a new search of this property as we suspected that victim bodies could have remained buried during a certain time before being dismem- bered and thrown into the river. The chain saw had disappeared in the meantime, and despite intensive searches, including a canine team, no more human remains were found. Nevertheless, a grave was finally located in the proximity of the property previously mentioned, on the other side of the river. The size and shape of the grave recovered two complete extended bodies, no clothing was found but a strong smell and remains of decomposition as well as the rest of tied ropes were located in the bottom of the grave. Dur- ing the search in the property, few tools including a machete were collected as well as a wood support exhibiting numerous cut marks characteristic of a chain saw. A fireplace was excavated, and remains of burned synthetic material were identified. Fibers later analyzed were consistent with synthetic material known to be used for sleeping bag production. Facing the results of both recovery scene and the forensic autopsy, the alleged perpetrators confirmed the burying and dismemberment of the two victims but denied committing the homicide. In the beginning of December 2006, when police investigators were searching around, owners of the property were afraid of the possibility to be link to the homicide and decided to exhume, dismember, and throw the dead bodies into the river. According to their testimony, three native men came on August 6, 2006 transporting the dead bodies of two tourists in their sleeping bags. They explained that death occurred accidentally dur- ing a jungle trip, after the drinking of a powerful hallucinogenic beverage. The first set of remains was found on December 19, 2006, and the two victims went missing on August 5, 2006. Conse- quently, the interval between death and dismemberment was con- firmed to be 4 months.

Three forensic challenges were faced by teams working on this case: the condition of the remains (dismembered bodies of two tourists), the location (Amazonian jungle), and the lack of labora- tory facilities. In forensic literature, dismembered cases generally focused on soft tissue injury patterns or bone analysis through cut marks to identify the causative instrument, but very few linked the analysis of injuries with data from the recovery scene. This case study illustrates the value of the timing of injuries linked to dis- memberment. The interval between death and dismemberment was determined by the results of forensic examination and basic experi- mental study and confirmed by evidences collected on the scene (e.g., grave). The analysis and interpretation of sharp force injury and involved instruments were also essential to identify alleged per- petrators in a specific region with little human settlement. Native people (Shuar Indians) living in this area belong to Jibaro family and have achieved their notoriety through their customary practice of head-shrinking (tsansa) and war hunting. It was then important to exclude any ritual practices or murders already known in this region because of territory rivalry between native and colony com- munities. Despite the complexity of the case and the location, aFIG. 8—Cut section produced by chain saw on pig femur from group A.

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strong collaboration on the field and in the mortuary from all the parts involved allowed identification of the victims and to some extent the reconstruction of the sequence of events. Unfortunately, to date, circumstances surrounding the death of the two victims remain unknown, and trial has been delayed many times.

Acknowledgments

We thank our colleagues from the Ecuadorian Police Forensic Institute and especially Dr. Freddy Gonzalo Herrera and Dr. Edison Marcelo J�come Segovia who were in charge of the case and invited authors to collaborate. We especially thank Dr. Milton Zarate Barreiros, chief of Criminal Police Unit in Quito, for his help and unconditional support. Police officers from Criminal Unite and especially C�sar Peralta Rivadeneira from the Office of the Prosecutor in Morona Santiago were very efficient despite difficulties of crime scene access and lack of resources. We also thank members of the Ecuadorian Special Unit of the GIR including the canine team. This work was supported by the French Police Cooperation Office (SCTIP) in Quito, and we thank Alain Bateau and all his staff. Finally, we warmly thank Dr. Erin Kimmerle for the review of this manuscript and Jose Pablo Baraybar for his review of the final report.

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Additional information and reprint requests: Tania Delabarde, Ph.D. French Institute of Andean Studies Whymper 442 y CoruÇa Quito Ecuador E-mail: [email protected]

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