Towards animal-free teaching in response to knife crime
Research led at Liverpool John Moores University is proposing a more sustainable and inclusive way to teach and study sharp-force trauma analysis, by reducing reliance on animal bones.
The study, published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences, explores whether non-animal materials can be used as proxies for bone when examining cut marks produced by sharp implements.
LJMU specialises in the forensic interpretation of knife injuries to improve understanding of cut marks and knife-related trauma in response to knife crime in the UK.
Traditionally, experimental research and practical teaching have used animal bone, particularly pig bone, as a substitute for human skeletal material. However, this can raise ethical, environmental, cultural and religious concerns for students and educators.
Training future investigators
Co-author Dr Matteo Borrini, principal lecturer in forensic anthropology from the LJMU Forensic Research Institute, said: “Sharp-force trauma is not only a specialist area of forensic anthropology it is also directly connected to one of the most urgent public safety issues in the UK.
“For more than a decade, my teaching and research at LJMU have focused on understanding knife-related trauma and improving how we train future forensic practitioners. This new study continues that work, but it also asks an important question: can we teach these skills in a way that is more ethical, sustainable and inclusive?”
The research tested a range of potential non-animal proxy materials, including paraffin, restoration compound, plaster and beeswax, comparing the marks produced on these materials with those observed on pig ribs. The results suggest that while no proxy can fully replace bone in every context, some materials can successfully reproduce specific features relevant to cut-mark analysis. Beeswax emerged as a particularly promising option among the materials tested.
Wax can be melted and reused and much more easily transported. Further, laboratories have tended to use pig bones, which are harder to source due to the increase of halal butcheries and can present students with ethical and religious dilemmas.
Sustainability and inclusion
The study was originally presented by Dr Borrini team at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) meeting in Baltimore and contributes to broader conversations across higher education about sustainability and inclusive teaching.
Dr Borrini added: “At LJMU, we want our teaching to be research-informed, socially responsible and student-centred. This project shows how changes in teaching materials can support both professional training and a learning environment where more students feel able to participate.”
The paper, “Sharp force trauma analysis without animal bones: A proposal for sustainable and ethical bone proxies,” was co-authored by MSc student Beth Lawrence and PhD researcher Giada Sciâdi Steiger.
