Edged weapons

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  • Edged weapons
    • Types of edged weapons
      • knifes
      • swords
      • axes
      • machetes
      • arrowheads
    • potential evidence from weapons
      • fingerprints
        • on handle from the assailant
      • blood
        • either victim or assailant
      • fibres
        • stuck in the bolster of the knife - from assailants clothing or victims clothing if the knife was penetrated through an item of clothing
    • knife characteristics (look at image attached)
      • point
        • The shape of the point is therefore controlled by the knifes intended use.
          • most likely part of the knife to break, potentially leaving opportunity for a physical fit.
        • the first 5cm
          • undergoes most stress
        • different points are: drop point, raised point, tanto, top swage, clipped and spear. (look at image attached)
      • spine
        • provides strength and weight to the blade
      • belly
        • The grinding of this section creates the cutting edge to the knife
    • Measurements
      • Cross section measurements are important to potentially match to stab wounds
        • width and depth of the blade need to be noted - all in mm
      • also measure the bolster as this could potentially match the bruising around the wound - if any is present
    • potential evidence from victim
      • stab wounds
        • The depth of penetration into the body is greater than the length of the wound on the skin.
      • incised wounds
        • The wound on the skin is greater than the depth into the body.
      • chop wounds
        • The wound on the skin is greater than the depth into the body, but the wound is not always a cut can be a crush from impact of the sharp belly ie cutting edge.
      • wounds
        • post mortem drying
          • darkening of the wound
          • loss of flexibility
          • making an evaluation of wounds margins and angles difficult
        • measurements provide information
          • depth of the blade
          • width of the spine
          • double or single edged blade?
          • angle of the cutting edge
        • length of blade can only be estimated due to penetration may not be complete or the force may not leave impressions of the bolster  
      • direction - angle of the wound
        • height of attacker
        • hand weapon held in
        • relative elevation
        • relative position horizontaly
      • sign of struggle
      • knife characteristics
      • position of attacker
      • hand dominance

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