|
Forensic pathologists have noticed clear and identifiable imagery of the man's teeth, metacarpal bones, finger bones, and backbone on the
Shroud of Turin. They are anatomically correct images as though produced by X-ray or some X-ray-like radiation.
|
|
|
Some of the material in this essay is obsolete. Please refer to the The Searching for Sister Ann's Bishop Who Thinks Ann is Nuts An Episcopalian's Perspective -- AN ONLINE ESSAY -- By Daniel R. Porter |
|
|
Part 17: A Picture of a Million Words - the Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection Numerous pathologists, physicians and anatomy experts have studied detailed images on the Shroud; some of them photographically or computer enhanced. In addition, they have examined actual blood from the bloodstains. The conclusion is that the images are of an adult male, about five and a half feet tall, with shoulder length hair and a beard. He was severely beaten and then crucified. Some of the bleeding occurred before the crucifixion, some of it while the man was alive and suspended on a cross, and some of it after his death. The image is that of a man who is dead. The body is in a state of rigor mortis - more accurately, of a man still in a state rigor mortis. Rigor mortis is a chemically induced stiffening of the body, which usually begins within hours after death and continues, normally, for about 24 hours. In a cool environment, such as a cave or underground tomb, rigor mortis might last as long as three days. There is no visible sign of decomposition, which normally begins after about three days. In other words, the image is a pathologically and anatomically accurate image of a man who had died recently. There are numerous wounds about the entire body and from many of these wounds there are flows of blood. Most notable is a large wound on one visible wrist. Only one wrist is visible because the arms are crossed at the wrists. Similar flows of blood along both arms indicate that there are comparable wounds to both wrists. These distinctive rivulets of blood, emerging at the wrists, could only occur as they do if the arms were stretched out at an angle between 55 and 65 degrees to the horizon with both wrists above the shoulders. There are also large wounds on the feet. The man's side has been pierced with a flat bladed object with what appears to be a deep upward thrust between the fifth and sixth rib. The elliptical shape of the wound, so say the forensic pathologists, is completely consistent with the Roman lancea used by first century garrison militia in Jerusalem. The blood and a clear liquid emanating from the lance wound are consistent with a postmortem wound in the area of the heart. The clear liquid is possibly as a result of fluid accumulation in the chest cavities related to terminal cardio-respiratory failure. Near the top of the head, on the forehead, and on the back of the head are small puncture wounds with rivulets of blood flowing downward and into the hair. It is clear from the direction of the blood flow that these puncture wounds occurred while the body was in an upright vertical position. A prominent bloodstain on the forehead is in the shape the number 3. Its shape suggests a deep painful furrowing of the brow or back and forth movement of the head while the blood flowed. One eye seems particularly swollen as if from a blow to the face. Abrasions on the shoulders suggest contact with a rough object. Abrasions to the nose and knees are suggestive of falling, particularly since imbedded dirt was found on the front of the knees and the tip of the nose. Similar dirt was found on the Shroud near the man's feet. There are definite images of a traumatic scourging on the back, chest and legs. Triple patterns of dumbbell-shaped contusions appear to have been made with a Roman flagrum, a vicious whipping device with small pieces of metal or bone affixed to the ends of leather straps. There are over 100 such wounds that appear to be have been delivered by blows from both sides of the man and at somewhat different heights. The image of the man on the Shroud is anatomically correct and the differences in the venous and arterial blood flow conform to the proper circulation of blood in the body and the location of the wounds (something not understood before modern medicine). The thumbs are not visible as would be the case if nails or spikes were driven though the wrists. They would automatically and reflexively fold into the palms of the hands from pain. The legs do not appear to be broken as was the case for many victims of Roman crucifixion. This was often done, after much suffering, to make it impossible for the victim to raise himself up on his feet (nailed as they were) in order to breath. Legs were broken to force death quickly when necessary. If a man was dead, there was no need to break his legs. Not all pathologists and researches who have examined the Shroud agree on all details. There is disagreement among some as to whether the body appears to have been washed. There is some argument as to the precise position of the nail holes in the wrists (note only one wrist is visible). There are different interpretations about the medical cause of death. Dr. Robert Bucklin, the former Chief of the Forensic Medical Division for the Los Angeles County Coroners Office, argues that asphyxia caused by hanging on a cross, is the most likely cause of death. Dr. Frederick T. Zugibe, a professor of pathology at Columbia University and formerly the Chief Medical Examiner of Rockland County, New York, argues that traumatic shock was the likely cause of death. There is little or no disagreement, however, on the primary details. The high-resolution photographs, as well as detailed results of blood tests and particulate matter, are available to any qualified person in the world who wishes to examine them. The peer-reviewed documented evidence is compelling and convincing. Pathologists, physicians and other forensic experts, however, cannot answer some very basic questions. How is it possible that the bloodstains are so perfect? They are neither broken nor smeared, as would be the case if the body were physically removed from the Shroud. Dried blood, in cementing the cloth to the body, would break. Any blood that was still moist would smear. Bloodstains, seemingly in the man's hair, are not in proper registration with the source wounds on the side of the forehead; thus indicating that the cloth was in different positions when the bloodstains and the images were formed. Was the cloth moved and how was it that this did not crack or smear the bloodstains? Pathologists have noticed, on the Shroud, clear and identifiable imagery of the man's teeth, metacarpal bones, finger bones, and backbone. They are anatomically correct images as though produced by X-ray or some X-ray-like radiation. In nuclear medicine, images of internal body parts are sometime produced, on photographic film, using mild radioactive compounds introduced into the bloodstream. Dr. August Accetta, a specialist in this area of medicine, has demonstrated that such images produce three-dimensional encoding of internal bone structures similar to those on the Shroud. But this nuclear medicine approach to making an image on highly sensitive photographic film is a long way from the refined, highly detailed, images created on linen cloth.
Dan Porter is an Episcopalian and a member of Trinity Church, Wall Street, in New York City. He may be contacted by email at porter@shroudstory.com or by mail at 20 McIntyre Street, Bronxville, NY 10708. (c) Copyright 2001, Daniel R. Porter. All Rights Reserved. This article may be reproduced in full for any non-commercial purpose without further permission.
|
|