Forensic Evidence
There have been only three official examinations of the Shroud:
- 1973: A Commission of Experts was allowed to examine the Shroud
- 1978: The most extensive scientific study of the Shroud to date involvinga multi-disciplinary team of American scientists, known as the Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP), as well as a small number of European scientists
- 1988: The Shroud was briefly examined by textile specialists prior to removing a small sample of material for radiocarbon dating
These limited opportunities to directly study the Shroud have however revealed a considerable amount of fascinating information which provides an insight into the provenance of the cloth and what happened to the body which had been wrapped within it.
Textile Evidence
Detailed photographs of the cloth and specialist examinations of the fabric have shown that it is a very high quality linen fabric with a relatively complex 3:1 herringbone weave pattern, which is consistent with Gospel accounts which state that it was bought by a wealthy disciple of Jesus named Joseph of Arimathea. However the yarn is clearly hand-spun and there are irregularities in the weave that indicate that it was woven on a rudimentary loom, which are characteristics that suggest an ancient origin.
According to a leading textile expert who analysed some of the seam stitching found on the Shroud, the stitching is highly unusual but it has been found on first century Jewish textiles. Tests of threads removed from the shroud have also indicated that the flax used to make the linen was grown in the Middle East.
Dust deposits
Traces of dust removed from the Shroud provide some valuable insights into the history of the cloth. These dust deposits include grains of pollen which can be used to identify the species of plant from which they came. Some of the pollen came from plants which are not found in Europe but which do grow in areas where the Shroud is believed to have been kept during its early history, such as Turkey and Israel.
The dust also contains particles of limestone with an unusual chemical composition which matches well with the chemical characteristics of limestone found in ancient rock tombs in Jerusalem.
Bloodstains
Scientists have been able to examine tiny samples of material which have been taken from bloodstained areas of the cloth. This research has shown that the stains contained human blood particles as well as some constituents of blood plasma. A recent microscopic analysis of these blood particles has revealed evidence that the blood issued from a body that had suffered extensive injury and trauma of a type which is consistent with the tortures endured by Jesus before and during crucifixion.
Injuries
The markings and bloodstains on the Shroud are of sufficient clarity and anatomical accuracy to enable forensic pathologists to assess the brutal injuries suffered by the body that was wrapped in the Shroud. Indeed the front and back full body imprints, together with the individual characteristics of blood stains on the cloth, make it possible for an experienced forensic pathologist to approach the examination of the Shroud image as they would when performing an autopsy. Several highly experienced pathologists and medical examiners have examined the Shroud image and have invariably reached the same conclusion: the injuries are entirely consistent with the gospel accounts of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
