Citation

Tuller H, Paolello JM. J. Forensic Sci. 2012; 57(1): 250-253.

Affiliation

Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, Central Identification Laboratory, 310 Worchester, Avenue, Hickam AFB, HI 96853. Department of Anthropology, University of Hawai'i, 2424 Maile Way, Honolulu, HI 96822.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01917.x

PMID

21939442

Abstract

This case study illustrates the use of the date function on an automatic wristwatch to help identify a Vietnam War helicopter crash site. The location of a crash incident can sometimes be uncertain because of inadequate or inaccurate wartime records and the passage of time. Artifacts recovered from a prospective crash scene are regularly used to correlate the loss incident. In this case study, a recovered automatic watch displayed a date 2 days later than the reported loss incident. Although the date conflicts with the aircraft crash incident report, it is observed that a fully wound automatic watch continues to work for c. 2 days after movement of the watch ceases. Thus, the watch's date in fact correlates with the aircraft crash incident report. It is noted that automatic watches may also be used to date scenes of crime.

Language: en