Introducing 3D Printed Models as Demonstrative Evidence at Criminal Trials

• Published in: Journal of forensic sciences Vol. 63; no. 4; pp. 1298 - 1302
• Main Authors: Baier, Waltraud, Warnett, Jason M., Payne, Mark, Williams, Mark A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.07.2018
• Subjects: 3D printing; additive manufacturing; Computed tomography; court presentation; Crime; demonstrative evidence; Evidence; forensic imaging; Forensic Medicine - legislation & jurisprudence; forensic science; Homicide; Humans; microcomputed tomography; Murders & murder attempts; Printing, Three-Dimensional - legislation & jurisprudence; Skull Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Skull Fractures - pathology; Three dimensional models; Three dimensional printing; tool mark analysis; Trials; United Kingdom; Weapons; X-Ray Microtomography; additive manufacturing; court presentation; forensic science; forensic imaging; microcomputed tomography; tool mark analysis; demonstrative evidence; 3D printing
• ISSN: 0022-1198; 1556-4029
• DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13700

This case report presents one of the first reported uses of a 3D printed exhibit in an English homicide trial, in which two defendants were accused of beating their victim to death. The investigation of this crime included a micro‐CT scan of the victim's skull, which assisted the pathologist to determine the circumstances of the assault, in particular regarding the number of assault weapons and perpetrators. The scan showed two distinct injury shapes, suggesting the use of either two weapons or a single weapon with geometrically distinct surfaces. It subsequently served as the basis for a 3D print, which was shown in court in one of the first examples that 3D printed physical models have been introduced as evidence in a criminal trial in the United Kingdom. This paper presents the decision‐making process of whether to use 3D printed evidence or not.