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Twice Bitten, Once Shy: Multi-Disciplinary Study of a Homicide Case

NCJ Number
166107
Journal
Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal Volume: 29 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1996) Pages: 127-136
Author(s)
M W Spence; M J Shkrum; C White
Date Published
1996
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The skeletal remains of a 54-year-old Caucasian male were found concealed in a wooded area of London 2 years after his disappearance, and crime scene and postmortem investigation of recovered skeletal remains proved to be a multidisciplinary effort involving police investigators, anthropologists, and medical experts.
Abstract
Police had earlier located the deceased's truck at another location. Suspicions arose that he had been burned at a nearby site following his death. Anthropological fieldwork, however, did not reveal any human remains. After the body was discovered, it was removed through the mutual cooperation of the police and anthropologists. Investigation showed skeletal features compatible with the missing individual's age, race, and sex, as well as specific radiological and osseous findings consistent with his medical history. Notably, there was evidence of an old shotgun injury of his leg, and the cause of death was a shotgun injury to the torso area. The case illustrated the advantages of cooperative investigation by a variety of specialists and the importance of a broad-based identification of the deceased. 16 references and 5 figures