Forensic Pathology and Historical Forensics
Forensic Pathology
Forensic pathology is the study of injury and disease and how it applies to the law. It plays a crucial role in legal and criminal investigations by determining the cause and manner of death, identifying human remains, and analyzing injury patterns.
Historical Forensics
Modern day forensics can be used to explore puzzles from the past and clarify historical questions, providing insights into events that occurred long ago. Techniques include DNA analysis, toxicology, and ballistics.
Bushrangers
Bushrangers in Australian history have an iconic place in some people’s minds. They are often romanticized in popular culture, yet their actions were frequently brutal and self-serving.
Bushrangers, unlike Robin Hood, stole from the poor and kept it for themselves. They terrorized settlements, robbed banks and stagecoaches, and engaged in violent confrontations with the authorities.
Ned Kelly murdered serving police officers and stole from poor sharecroppers. His actions and the subsequent media coverage turned him into a controversial figure, seen by some as a folk hero and by others as a cold-blooded killer.
The documentary series Lawless explored bushrangers. The team consisted of a forensic pathologist, historian, narrator, and archaeologist. The series utilized modern forensic techniques to re-examine historical cases.
Ben Hall
Ben Hall was a 19th-century Australian bushranger.
He was shot and killed by colonial police in May 1865. The circumstances surrounding his death remain controversial, with conflicting accounts from the police and supporters of Hall.
He robbed the gold escort coach with Frank Gardner, obtaining over £14,000 (millions of dollars today). This daring heist contributed to his notoriety and cemented his status as one of Australia's most famous bushrangers.
His gang committed over 100 robberies and killed two police officers, Sergeant Parry and Constable Nelson. These violent acts led to increased efforts by the authorities to track down and capture Hall and his gang.
The Streets of Forbes ballad romanticizes Hall’s death, claiming he was executed while sleeping. This romanticized version of his death has helped to perpetuate his legendary status.
The police version states they confronted Hall in the morning after waiting through the night, and he was shot after refusing to surrender. This account is supported by official police records and eyewitness testimonies.
Investigation of Ben Hall's Death
Reenactments were done using a gelatin torso to test police-issued rifles against it to assess the injuries Ben Hall sustained. The tests helped to determine the accuracy and lethality of the weapons used by the police.
Ben Hall's alleged gun belt, held at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, was examined. The gun belt is an important artifact that provides insights into the equipment and weaponry used by bushrangers.
A gap in the belt was initially suspected to be a bullet hole.
The defect in the belt was an oval shape that sloped, indicating a bullet entry from behind and to the left. This finding supports the police account of the shooting.
This aligns with the police account of Sergeant Hipkiss’s position. The angle of entry suggests that Hall was shot from behind, corroborating the police version of events.
Scanning electron microscopy was performed to analyze the elements. This analysis helped to identify the types of bullets and gunpowder used in the shooting.
The front of the belt was clean, while the ammunition pouch contained lead.
The bullet hole had lead, arsenic, and mercury (19th-century accelerants). These elements were commonly found in bullets and gunpowder during the 19th century.
Hall was shot through and through with a $.56$ carbine. The use of a powerful carbine suggests that the police were well-equipped and prepared for a confrontation.
Ned Kelly
Ned Kelly was portrayed as a violent individual who advocated violence against those who opposed him. His violent actions and anti-establishment rhetoric made him a polarizing figure in Australian history.
He detailed harming people in the Drillery Letter and wanted to attack the police, hoping to cause them serious harm. The Drillery Letter provides valuable insights into Kelly's mindset and motivations.
Kelly wanted to derail a train at Glenrowan, which would have killed 27 people. This plan demonstrates the extent of Kelly's willingness to use violence to achieve his goals.
Investigation using LiDAR
LiDAR technology was used to investigate Stringybark Creek, where Ned Kelly killed three police officers; the scene was recreated at Monash, in the cave. LiDAR technology allows for the creation of detailed 3D models of crime scenes, even in remote or inaccessible locations.
Kelly would score (put a groove) in the top of his bullets to cause tremendous tissue damage. This practice reflects Kelly's intent to inflict maximum harm on his victims.
Reenactments with a pig carcass showed that bullets could split upon impact. These reenactments provided valuable insights into the effects of Kelly's modified bullets.
The three police officers killed by the Kelly gang were Constable Lonigan, Sergeant Kennedy, and Constable Scanlan. The deaths of these officers led to a massive manhunt for Kelly and his gang.
A descendant of Kelly disagreed with the assessment that shooting an unarmed man point-blank in the chest with a shotgun is an execution. This disagreement highlights the ongoing debate surrounding Kelly's legacy.
A study of people with Ned Kelly tattoos who underwent forensic autopsies showed that in 20 cases, all males, aged 20-67:-
85% died of natural causes.
8 suicides.
7 accidents.
2 homicides.
Ned Kelly tattoos were associated with violent deaths. This finding suggests a potential link between individuals who identify with Kelly and violent behavior.
Captain Moonlight (George Scott)
Captain Moonlight was involved in a shootout between his gang and the police at Wanabadgerie Station in New South Wales on November 16, 1879.
Two bushrangers were killed, and Constable Webb Bowen died later from his wounds (shot in the side of the neck, leading to sepsis).
Moonlight and Rogan were hanged in Darlinghurst Jail on January 20, 1880.
The investigation used archaeology, forensic pathology review, ballistics analysis, and LiDAR reconstruction. This multidisciplinary approach provided a comprehensive understanding of the events that occurred at Wanabadgerie Station.
LiDAR technology allows for the recreation of scenes in a laboratory. It offers a non-invasive way to document and analyze crime scenes, preserving valuable evidence for future investigations.
The LiDAR box fires out beams and integrates them, then is plugged into a computer.
LiDAR Reconstruction
LiDAR can strip off vegetation. This capability is particularly useful in outdoor crime scenes where vegetation may obscure important details.
Laser plotting the lines of fire, showed Constable Webb Bowen was shot by either Warnicki or Moonlight. The laser plotting helped to determine the trajectory of the bullets and identify the shooter.
Gus Warnicki, age 15, had been shot through the liver and died at the scene, so he could have killed the policeman. The fact that Warnicki was only 15 years old raises questions about his involvement in the shootout and the circumstances surrounding his death.
Moonlight was the leader, Rogan, next oldest, hanged because of this.
Kenneff Brothers
In 1903, Patrick Kenneff was hanged, and James was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Police Constable George Doyle at Lethbridge Pocket in the Carnarvon Ranges.
The prosecution alleged the Kenneffs shot Constable Doyle and station manager Dalky, chopped up the bodies, burned them, and left them in saddlebags. The gruesome nature of the crime shocked the community and led to a widespread demand for justice.
There was a substantial reward of £1000 for their capture. The large reward reflects the seriousness of the crime and the determination of the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The prosecution argued that the Kenneffs were capable of murder because they must have cut up the victims piecemeal (dismemberment after death) and butchered Doyle to death before. This argument was based on the assumption that the dismemberment of the bodies indicated a high level of brutality and premeditation.
An experiment was conducted with a whole pig and a dismembered pig on a fire to assess the burning pattern. The experiment aimed to determine whether the bodies were dismembered before or after being burned.
After 4-5 hours, the whole pig resembled what was found in the saddlebags, while the dismembered pig disappeared. This suggested that the bodies were not dismembered but thrown on the fire. This finding undermined the prosecution's argument that the Kenneffs had dismembered the bodies before burning them.
Mike Munro got involved because the Kenneths were his great uncles, who changed their name from Kenneth to Munro due to the stigma associated with the case. Munro's involvement in the case reflects the lasting impact of the crime on the Kenneff family.
Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF)
The EEF was set up in March 1916 and amalgamated the expeditionary force from Gallipoli with other infantry divisions already in Egypt.
It comprised British and imperial troops from Australia, New Zealand, India, and the West Indies.
The EEF defended the Suez Canal and pushed through the Ottoman defenses. There was a great horse charge at Beersheba.
Chief infectious diseases included cholera, smallpox, malaria, and diphtheria, specimens were brought back, containing shrapnel found in soldiers. The study of these specimens provided valuable insights into the health challenges faced by soldiers during the war.
Historical Data
Casualties due to disease (37 to 1 ratio) vastly outnumbered combat casualties. This statistic highlights the significant impact of disease on the health and well-being of soldiers during the EEF campaign.
There was also a graph shown of the length of trails. From late 17th century to middle of the 20th century. It was split into two lines in 1725.
That is when plea bargaining came in.
Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania)
Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) was a penal colony. It was established by the British government in the early 19th century to house convicts from England and other parts of the British Empire.
Convict stations were built at Port Arthur, Moriah Island, and Hellsgates. These stations were designed to house and punish convicts, and they became notorious for their harsh conditions and brutal treatment.
The records of Tasmanian convicts are in the archive and heritage office (TAHO), with over 500 volumes on the UNESCO World Heritage Register. These records provide a wealth of information about the lives of convicts who were sent to Tasmania.
These records include detailed physical descriptions, punishments, and causes of death for 73,000 convicts. Researchers are using these records to study various aspects of convict life, including their health, mortality, and social interactions.
Research is being conducted on suicides, accidents, and homicide rates over time, as well as the different stations where they were held plus at the female factories. This research is shedding light on the challenges and hardships faced by convicts in Tasmania.
Death Rates
Death rates in Tasmanian prisons were lower than in English and American prisons. This is due to a number of factors, including the selection of healthy convicts and the availability of food and work opportunities.
Tasmanian convicts were selected for being healthy, had a good food supply, worked outside in healthy conditions, and were an economic resource. The convicts were often assigned to agricultural tasks, which provided them with fresh air and exercise.
Macquarie Harbour Penitentiary (Hellsgates)
Studies have looked at murder suicides and suicide lotteries. The harsh conditions at Macquarie Harbour led to a high rate of suicide and other forms of self-harm.
Punishments were harsh, with long hours in cold waters and cramped sleeping conditions. These conditions contributed to the physical and mental deterioration of the convicts.
Convicts had a slang term called going on a slant. This meant that they get to go to Hobart Town, have a bit of a holiday away from the place.
Judicial Murder Suicide
A judicial murder suicide is when an individual commits an actions knowing the authorities will end them.
In one instance, convicts killed a head keeper, then gave themselves up to be taken to Hobart Town and hung.
They preferred being hanged in Hobart Town to staying at Macquarie Harbour.
Authorities started hanging convicts at Macquarie Harbour, but the convicts embraced death.
Cannibalism
Cannibalism did occur. The extreme conditions at Macquarie Harbour, including starvation and isolation, led to instances of cannibalism among the convicts.
Alexander Pierce stole six pairs of shoes, and he came to Hobart Town on the Castle Forbes in 1820.
In May 1821, he embezzled 2 turkeys.
He was sentenced again because he was forging documents.
He and seven other convicts decided to take a boat but it sank, so they decided to walk.
They decided to start eating each other.
Types of Cannibalism
Nutritional; this included Pierce’s actions
Ritual
Pathological.
Alexander Pierce
When Pierce gave himself up, bits of Matthew were found in his pockets.
He was executed in the Hobart Town Jail.
This establishes a new category of cannibalism: an opportunistic serial cannibal.
Conclusion
Archives can give you answers to historical forensic questions using modern technology. The use of modern forensic techniques, combined with historical records, can provide new insights into past events.
Archives also give us additional useful historical information, like the judicial murder suicides and the opportunistic cannibalism.
They can give us case material to explain or to expand upon our understanding of certain occurrences.