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WILLAMElTE VALLEYFORENSIC5, ILC
Kenn Meneellj, Consultant
88111lindsalj Lane
Veneta, OR 97487
Telephone: (541) 935-0538
e-mail: [email protected]
Mohile Phone: (541) 915-3886
Facsimile: (541) 935-0538
To: Richard McBreen, Attorney at Law
Representing: Alden David French
No. Cl12115CR
Thank you for allowing me to comment on the above cited case. I am qualified on the above
matter for the following reasons: My undergraduate and post graduate experience is in the field
of chemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology. I worked for a medical and research facility for
four (4) years prior to entering the State Police Forensic Division 32 years ago. I attended the
Oregon State Police academy and received the basic and advanced police officer certification,
which I maintained throughout my career. Thirty two (32) years ago, I then transferred into the
Oregon State Police Forensic Division where I subsequently received training from the forensic
division, FBI, the University of Texas Medical School, and the University of Utah Center for
Human Toxicology. I have been involved with death investigations and crime scene
reconstruction, blood spatter analysis, and various other disciplines of forensic science for 32
years. As part of my duties associated with death investigations was assisting the medical
examiner with evidence collection, and analysis of post mortem samples. I have previously been
court qualified in the following areas pertinent to this case: crime scene reconstruction, sharp
instrument trauma wounds, and defensive trauma wounds.
My CV is attached for review.
The following documents were received for evaluation:
1. Hand written notes dated Sept. 9,2011, regarding an incident involving Alden French,
Jessica Prickett, and Jacob Prickett on Sept. 7,2011.
2. Officer Snyder's report regarding interviews of Jacob Prickett, Jessica Prickett, and Ron
Lyon on Sept. 9, 2011
3. Officer Snyder's report regarding an interview with Angie Navin on September 16,2011.
4. Officer Synder's report regarding interviews with Maggie Castellanos, and Juanita
Castellanos on September 20, 2011.
5. Officers Snyder's report regarding interviews with Juanita Castellanos, and Alden French
on September 27,2011.
6. Officers Snyder's report regarding interviews with Jessica Prickett, and Jacob Prickett on
October 4,2011 and October 11,2011.
Willamette Valley Forensics
Kenn Meneely, Consultant
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7. Typed copy regarding a phone message reportedly from Alden French on September 7,
2011.
8. Oregon state police forensic laboratory report dated October 14,2011, regarding analysis
of exhibits:
1 (81202 - 3) Stanley utility knife
2 (81202 - 3) Stanley knife sheath
3 (81202 - 3) plastic case containing knife replacement blades
4 (81202 - 2) butterfly knife with black decorative handle
5 (81176 - 1) oral swabs from "Jessica Pritchett"
9. Photographs depicting the palm ofthe right hand reportedly taken on Sept. 9,2011
10. On December 19, 2011, photographs of the two knives, previously submitted to the
Oregon State Police Forensic Division, were received.
Case Overview
On September 7, 2011 at approximately 8:30 PM, an incident involving Alden French, Jessica
Prickett, and Jacob Prickett allegedly occurred in the kitchen area of a church. On September 9,
2011, Jacob Prickett stated that the defendant, Alden French, pulled out a folding knife and
attempted to stab him. During this event, Jacob Prickett stated that his wife's hand was stabbed.
Jacob Prickett stated that his wife did not indicate that she was injured until they arrived at their
residence. Jessica Prickett stated that the defendant lunged at Jacob Prickett with his knife with
an overhand grip position. Jessica Pickett also stated that during the ride to their residence, her
hand began bleeding.
Forensic examination of the Stanley utility knife, the Stanley knife sheath, the replacement
blades, and the black handled butterfly knife failed to detect any evidence of blood transfer.
Officers collected the following evidence:
a. photographs of Jessica Prickett's hand on September 9, 2011.
b. two knives collected on September 27,2011
Review
Wounds caused by pointed and sharp edged weapons can be divided into four categories:
1. chop wounds
2. therapeutic/diagnostic wounds
3. stab wounds
4. incised wounds
Chop wounds are produced by heavy instruments with a cutting-edge. Therapeutic or diagnostic
wounds are produced by medical personnel during the treatment of a patient. Stab wounds are
produced by pointed instruments. The edges of the wound in the skin are typically sharp, without
abrasion or contusion. Refer to the following examples:
Willamette Valley Forensics
Kenn Meneely, Consultant
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Stab wound
The characteristics of a stab wound may exhibit characteristics of the knife, for example:
1. size of blade
/
2. special features of the blade such as a serrated edge
-;--c1".....,---~
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Kenn Meneely, Consultant
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Incised wounds or cuts can be produced by sharp edged objects such as knives, glass, metal, or
paper. The edges of an incised wound tend to separate or gap. The extent to which the wound
gaps and the shape it subsequently assumes depends on whether it is parallel, transverse, or
oblique to the direction of the elastic fibers in the skin (Langer's Lines). Defense wounds are
wounds of the extremities incurred when an individual attempts to ward off a pointed or sharp
edged instrument. These areas are most likely found on the back of the forearm (A), back of the
hands (B), and palms ofthe hands (C).
~---r__~~--~--~~ ~~~--~
A
B
C
Willamette Valley Forensics
Kenn Meneely, Consultant
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Review of the officer's photos reportedly taken on Sept. 9,2011, reveals a small amount of
trauma to the right hand (D,E,F).
D
F
E
An estimate of the trauma area suggests that tissue damage is approximately less than 5mm.
Further examination of the photographs indicate a shallow wound and sharp tissue edges
consistent to damage caused from a sharp-edged instrument or object. Associated with this
region is an area of minor infection (F).
Willamette Valley Forensics
Kenn Meneely, Consultant
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Skin is divided into three (3) general layers; epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat.
The epidermis thickness varies from .05mm on the eyelids to 1.5mm on the feet. The epidermis
contains five (5) sub-layers. The upper layer (stratum corneum) is made up of mostly dead cells
while the bottom layer (stratum basale) contains more active cellular material. The dermis
contains nerve endings, blood vessels, oil glands, and sweat glands.
G
The following photograph depicts an incised shallow wound caused by a section of paper. This
wound is 4mm in length and two (2) days old.
H
Willamette Valley Forensics
Kenn Meneely, Consultant
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The following photograph depicts an incised shallow wound caused by a section of paper. This
wound is 4mm in length and occurred within two (2) hours of the photograph. The tissue
displays an area of minor infection.
I
The following are photos of the 2 knives reportedly taken from Alden French:
J
K
Willamette Valley Forensics
Kenn Meneely, Consultant
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Summary
The areas of tissue damage (D and E) are inconsistent to a "stab wound" event.
The location of tissue damage in photos D and E is consistent to areas commonly found as sites
of defensive incised wounds from a sharp object; however, the extent of damage appears to have
penetrated only into the epidermis layer. The level of infection and appearance of the wound in
photos D and E suggest a recent event.
The appearance of the wound (D and E) is inconsistent to the statements that the damage
to the tissue occurred on Sept. 7,2011. The wound appears to have been made from a more
recent event than would be suggested by the photos taken on Sept. 9, 2011, which was 2
days after the alleged incident.
The appearance of the incised wound area cannot rule out trauma caused from either a
sharp-bladed instrument or object (ie. knife, metal, glass, paper).
There is no evidence that the serrated portion of one of the knives created the wound on
Jessica Prickett's hand nor is there any evidence, as noted from the forensic report, that
these knives made contact with Jessica Prickett's hand as no blood or tissue was found on
the knives.
It should also be noted that statements were made that the "wound" was bleeding during
transportation to the residence, however; law enforcement failed to obtain evidence of bloodstained clothing or medical supplies to substantiate this statement.
Sincerely,
~
Kenn D. Meneely
Willamette Valley Forensics, LLC
Willamette Valley Forensics
Kenn Meneely, Consultant
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References:
Forensic Pathology, DiMaio, Dominick and DiMaio, Vincent
Forensic Pathology, 2nd ed., DiMaio, Dominick and DiMaio, Vincent
Forensic Autopsy Performance Standards: National Association of Medical Examiners
Andrews 'Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology,
James,William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk
io" ed.,
Journal of Dermatological Science 8 (3): 1994
Developmental Biology: "The Epidermis and the Origin of Cutaneous Structures"
Anatomy and Physiology 2nd ed., Barron
Criminalisitcs 10th ed., Richard Saferstein
Willamette Valley Forensics
Kenn Meneely, Consultant
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