Corpse Dismemberment - Man Attacked with a Sword and Dumped in a Water Channel

[hermantheshocker]

This deceased male adult was attacked with a sword and subsequently dumped in a water channel. When the deceased surfaced the next day, attempts were made to submerge the individual again. The deceased was subsequently removed from the water and his head and feet were cut off with a hacksaw and dumped in different locations. Cause of Death: Unascertained.


Fig.1 Superior and left lateral views of the individual showing the absence of the head and left and right feet. NB: extensive decompositional changes.


Fig.2 Superior view of the neck showing decapitation.

The head and feet were absent. At the site of decapitation, the margins of the neck wound were sharply incised but focally irregular. On the right lateral side, there was a secondary incision with sharp edges that created a flap measuring approximately 50mm in length. Posteriorly, the neck wound had a V-shaped extension to the decapitation incision). The inferior portion of a cervical vertebra was exposed in the center of this wound. There was soft tissue trauma of the cervical muscles. The larynx was also exposed.


Fig.3 Right posterior lateral view of the back showing V-shaped extension (red arrow) of the decapitation.


Fig.4 Dorsal view of the right hand showing incised injuries to the soft tissue (white arrows) and bone (red arrows).

There were a series of incised wounds to the left hand involving soft tissues and bone. Despite decomposition changes, it was possible to observe incised wounds on the dorsum of the left 1st metacarpophalangeal joint, measuring approximately 25 mm in length. There was also an incised wound over the left 2nd metacarpophalangeal joint measuring approximately 50 mm in length, exposing the underlying metacarpophalangeal joint. The distal and middle phalanges of the left middle finger were absent.


Fig.5 Lateral view of the completely severed left distal tibia and fibula.


Fig.6 Inferior view of the severed distal left tibia and fibula showing a series of striations (red arrows).

There was extensive soft tissue disruption including incised wounds extending into the web space between the left 3rd and 4th fingers, which exposed the distal left 4th finger metacarpal, including the condylar surface. The radial part of the distal metacarpal shaft was absent. There was a fracture–dislocation between the metacarpal and the proximal phalanx of the left 4th finger. The proximal phalanx of the left 4th finger had been severed proximally through the articular surface.


Fig.7 Inferior–anterior view of the right leg showing severed distal tibia and fibula.


Fig.8 Detail of the lateral aspect of the right leg showing the sharp incised wound edge.

There was an incised wound on the ulnar border of the left hand, which exposed the 5th metacarpal. There was a bony injury through the proximal midshaft of the left 5th metacarpal obliquely. This incised wound on the ulnar border of the hand communicated with an incised wound on the palmar surface of the ulnar border of the hand, which measured approximately 80 mm. The distal left tibia and fibula were completely severed in the horizontal plane. The cut ends of the bones had a series of linear striations often seen in sharp force trauma involving saws. There was soft tissue disruption, most pronounced posteriorly. The left foot was absent.


Fig.9 Inferior view of the distal right leg showing the horizontal cut of the distal tibia and fibula and striations on the fibula.


Fig.10 Right lateral view showing incised wounds to the back and shoulder.

The right foot was severed from the distal tibia and fibula. The wound was approximately horizontal with a small apex posteriorly, which extended approximately 30 mm posteromedially. The wound edge was sharply incised but irregular. The severed bone ends were roughly horizontal. Very faint striations were seen on the cut surface of the fibula. There were a number of incised wounds to the right shoulder joint and back. On the posterior aspect of the right shoulder, overlying the scapula there was a sharply incised wound that measured unopposed 135 mm × 25 mm. The ends were acutely angled. The wound had partially incised the spine of the scapula. There was also a small flap of bone with soft tissue attachments within the wound measuring approximately 12 mm × 10 mm.


Fig.11 Detail of the incised injury of the right side of the back. NB: the small segment of bone within the wound (red arrow).


Fig.12 Posterior view of the right shoulder showing the incised wounds and the exposure of the head of the humerus.

There were a number of incised wounds on the right upper arm, which exposed the proximal humerus and humeral head. On the posterior surface of the humeral head, there was partial loss of the articular surface. The anterior and posterior edges of this bony deficit were sharply incised (choplike injuries). The medial edge was slightly irregular. The wound edges measure up to 32 mm in length. Extending anteriorly and inferiorly from this injury were further incised (chop) injuries to the bony cortex measuring 15 mm each. Within soft tissue attachments on the anterior surface of the glenohumeral joint, there were irregular fragments of bone. On the anterior aspect of the right glenohumeral joint, there was a separate sharply incised (chop) fragment of bone from the tip of the acromion, measuring 30 mm × 15 mm. On the posterior aspect of the left shoulder, there was a sharply incised wound that gaped and measured 150 mm × 55 mm. This injury had sharply incised edges.


Fig.13 Posterior surface of the right proximal humerus showing incised wounds.

There was evidence of sharp-force injuries to the torso and left upper limb. However, it was considered unlikely that these were fatal injuries. The poor preservation and incomplete nature of the remains (e.g., the head was not received) meant that the cause of death could not be ascertained. The injuries to the left hand were consistent with defense-type injuries. In view of the bony injuries sustained to the left hand and right shoulder joint, on a three-point scale of mild, moderate, and severe, the degree of force was considered to be severe.

Cases of dismemberment of a corpse (as opposed to dismemberment of a living person) are fairly rare depending on the country (e.g., Colombia). Analysis of the remains aims to provide information about the manner of dismemberment and identification of possible tools used and develop a hypothesis of the criminal context. Information about the Weapon: Samurai sword and hacksaw.

-

This post is for educational purposes only and is nonprofit. Under Section 107 of the US Copyright Act of 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. OP is not a medical expert. No copyright infringement intended. This post does not encourage or glorify violence/harassment. Images might have been upscaled and enhanced. Text might have been shortened and simplified/reorganized for online view.

[Budd Dwyer]

The back injury looks like an STD ridden pussy

[K53]

Doesn't appear human

[rambbb]

[William May]

I'm no expert, but I HAVE graduated from the Colombian School of Forensic Medicine and Plumbing, so I will take a guess.

Choked on a marshmallow, perhaps?

[kilyurselph]

You know, I hate to say this because optimism is a powerful thing and I always hope for the best in these situations but, I bet he didn't make it.

[Kotd]

Originally Posted by Budd Dwyer

The back injury looks like an STD ridden pussy

I was just thinking I'd fuck that hole.

[Vixənn]

Originally Posted by Kotd

I was just thinking I'd fuck that hole.

you should kill yourself.

[KillerBee370]

Suck that sack for $1k?

[kellyhound]

someone was really mad