Why is the examination of cold steel

The concept of cold steel in our time is rather vague. A mortal wound can be inflicted on an object that does not fall under the current definition. In each case, if necessary, an examination of cold weapons is conducted, during which experts recognize or do not recognize the object as such.

However, despite the absence of a definition, there are quite specific signs on which it is possible to distinguish an ordinary economic knife from an object capable of posing a danger to others in able hands.

Without any conditions, brass knuckles, knuckles and other wares of crushing or throwing action are recognized as cold weapons; for this, no expertise is required.

The "Weapons Act" adopted in the territory of the Russian Federation provides a definition according to which muscular force is used to damage this type of guns in conditions of direct contact, but the crossbow does not provide for it. Consequently, the action of certain types of cold weapons can be remote.

However, such exotic items as onions, boomerangs or crossbows, rarely become objects of litigation or evidence. The most common are knives, especially folding knives.

When expertise in cold steel is being conducted, specialists are guided by the norms adopted in the Soviet years, although now the framework has somewhat expanded, and the hardness of the metal is not taken into account. If the thickness of the blade is 260 microns or more, and the length is 900 mm, then such a knife is generally recognized as dangerous.

Other design features, such as the shape of the cutting part, are taken into account. Forensic examination of cold weapons distinguishes blades of various geometric shapes, indicating which damaging factor is the main one. However, there are also items of combined action. The shape of the handle, the presence of the stop, and its dimensions are also important. For example, a cold piercing weapon has a point, and a sharp edge is characteristic of a heavy chopping, for example, for a cleaver.

Another important factor is the strength of the connection of the handle to the blade or the retainer that holds the movable cutting part of the folding knife.

In disputable cases, examination of cold weapons is carried out on the basis of the following objective parameters: the projection of the heel of the blade (the maximum size is 3.3 mm), its shape (straight), the depth that the pierced recess (up to 5 mm) has. These dimensions determine the ability of the knife to slip out of the hand when struck.

The angle of the stop in relation to the handle line examination of cold weapons does not take into account. The main factor is the prevention of slipping the hand of the batter on the blade. Thus, a conical or spindle-shaped handle can easily solve this problem in the event that the difference between the thick and thin part is more than eight millimeters. If there are disputable moments, an additional dynamic test is carried out.

The ax is usually not recognized by cold steel , although it is much easier to kill them than with the sharpest military bayonet. The same applies to certified kitchen items and most folding knives.