Case Studies in Forensic Metallurgy

Torrid Telephone

Image Gallery

Sketch of damaged telephone cord (not to scale) Schematic cross section of telephone cord (not to scale) Shows wires and insulation in good order. Shows heat damage to wires and surrounding fibers in yellow and red sheaths.

Readings

Callister, Section 17.10: Oxidation. pp. 651-654

Russell, Ken. “Report on Fire-Damaged Telephone Cord.” (PDF)

Assignments

What does the evidence about the telephone cord tell you? Can you rule “in or out” any possibilities from this evidence?

What information from the reading on oxidation applies to the case? Do you now have any additional hypotheses about what has happened?

Please prepare a short presentation on the Torrid Telephone case and evidence.

Please prepare a short presentation on oxidation.

Further Reading

“Calamities” column: The Case of the Torrid Telephone