American Journal of Life Sciences 2019; 7(2): 47-53 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ajls doi: 10.11648/j.ajls.20190702.12 ISSN: 2328-5702 (Print); ISSN: 2328-5737 (Online) Use of CT Scanning and Radiography as Legal Expert Evidence in Paleontology (Trilobites of Morocco) Joan Corbacho1, 2, Scott Morrison3, Sergio Llácer4, Keith Hammond1 1 Departament of Trilobites and Certifications, Geological Museum of the Seminary, Barcelona, Spain 2 Departament of Paleontology, Association of Legal Experts of Catalonia, Sabadell, Spain 3 Department of Geological Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, USA 4 Departament of Virtual Paleontology, Catalan Institute of Paleontology, Sabadell, Spain Email address: To cite this article: Joan Corbacho, Scott Morrison, Sergio Llácer, Keith Hammond. Use of CT Scanning and Radiography as Legal Expert Evidence in Paleontology (Trilobites of Morocco). American Journal of Life Sciences. Vol. 7, No. 2, 2019, pp. 47-53. doi: 10.11648/j.ajls.20190702.12 Received: June 16, 2019; Accepted: July 11, 2019; Published: July 23, 2019 Abstract: This study presents CT Scanning and radiography techniques applied to invertebrate paleontology, specifically to the detection of trilobites forgeries in Morocco. A well-known technique uses ultraviolet rays to detect falsified resin elements in trilobites. This technique is very effective for the trilobites of the Ordovician of Russia, although it is also used in specimens from other regions as we can see in figure 1: a topotype of the Upper Ordovician of Morocco, Uralichas hispanicus tardus Vela & Corbacho, 2009. This technique is not entirely reliable since it only detects the resin but not the density difference of different broken pieces that can be present in an authentic trilobite and its matrix, so these parts could belong to different specimens. This problem is solved with the utilization of a CT Scanning and in some cases with simple radiography. This paper presents mainly holotypes, paratypes and other specimens included in scientific articles, belonging to the Lower Ordovician, Upper Ordovician and Middle Devonian. The authenticity of the figured specimens are further substantiated and demonstrate that they retain the necessary characters to make an accurate description of the designated new species. Keywords: CT Scanning, Radiography, X-ray, Trilobites, Fakes, Legal Expert in Paleontology in this paper. This study is aimed at scientists and jurists 1. Introduction (judges, prosecutors, lawyers, judicial experts, etc.). In this paper the techniques of CT Scanning and radiography applied to the detection of falsifications of trilobites of Morocco are explained and shown especially, holotypes, paratypes and specimens included in scientific documents. Currently the CT Scanning and radiographs have become the most effective tools that can be utilized in Paleontology to demonstrate the authenticity of fossils to a Judicial Expert. All the specimens presented in this paper come from Morocco. We are currently making a new paper with CT Scannig and radiographs of some specimens of Platypeltoides of Figure 1. Uralichas hispanicus tardus used as topotype [2]. It belongs to the Morocco, see the paper of the authors of the reference [3]. Upper Ordovician and comes from El Kaid Errami. Photo made with The main objective of this document is to demonstrate ultraviolet imaging. The arrows indicate the part of the matrix and the fossil with the techniques of computerized tomography and containing resin. It can be affirmed that this fossil is authentic because the resin only affects the area of the union where the matrix has been repaired radiography and ultraviolet light the authenticity of the showing the repaired element of the fossil is only a small part in the different holotypes, paratypes and topotype (Figure 1) shown pygidium. American Journal of Life Sciences 2019; 7(2): 47-53 48 1.1. Historical Background the Guelmim area (Morocco). From the Upper Ordovician (Lower Caradoc) sandstones from the Izegguirene Formation X-ray computed tomography originated about 100 years of Jbel Bou Nemrou in El Kaid Errami, East of Anti-Atlas ago with the development of mechanical tomography with (Morocco), Uralichas hispanicus tardus Vela & Corbacho, the earliest attempts of paleontological X-ray imaging; circa 2009; Basilicus Calzadai Corbacho, 2011; Degamella 1896 [4]. sendinoae Corbacho, 2011; Zeliszkella (Z.) velai Corbacho, The application of CT Scanning and radiography to detect 2011 and Placoparia sp. paleontological forgeries has been used for many years with Two Acanthopyge (A.) sp. of fine-grained limestone vertebrates [5, 6] and with invertebrates [7], not only for the belonging to the Middle Devonian and coming from the El verification of their authenticity but also to see elements of Otfal Formation, located in Jbel bou Lachrchal in the the fossil without the need to remove the matrix, as in some Northeast of the Mader basin and another of the same cases it is impossible or would not be advisable as Formation located in Jbel El Mrakib in the south of the mechanical preparation would cause damage to the specimen, Mader basin (Morocco). see [8-17]. In recent years it has become standard practice for vendors to send photos of the trilobite recovery work process as it 2. Materials and Methods progresses, see (Figure 2). Counterfeits have also been 2.1. Specimens Studied detected in this method, as photos are sometimes sent to the buyer with the unfinished fossil but with repaired or replaced The holotype and three paratypes of Platypeltoides parts. In these cases, CT Scanning and radiography are also cuervoae, plus another disarticulated caparace that has effective. appeared below them during the scanning process, are presented and an additional specimen of Platypeltoides cuervoae from Morocco that was not used for the description of the species nor has it appeared in any scientific article; the holotype of Basilicus calzadai; the holotype and a paratype of Degamella sendinoae; the holotype of Zeliszkella (Z.) velai; a specimen in [2] of Placoparia sp. and three specimens of Acanthopyge (Acanthopyge) sp. In addition, we present a trilobite that has appeared in a scientific article, [2, 13] a topotype of Uralichas hispanicus tardus (Figure 1) that has not been scanned or x-rayed. 2.2. Measurements Table 1. Total specimen measurements (in mm). Specimen number Specimen name Total length NHMUK-it28944 P. cuervoae 125 NHMUK-it28945 P. cuervoae 115 MGSB-JC76 P. cuervoae 120 MGSB-JC77 P. cuervoae 95 JC100 P. cuervoae 190 JC29 Acanthopyge (Figure 3) 86 MGSB 77680 Basilicus calzadai 145 JC20 Placoparia sp. 58 MGSB77682 Zeliszkella (Z.) velai 36 MGSB77681 D. sendinoae 28 MGSB77684 D. sendinoae 25 JC17 U. hispanicus tardus 200 JC30 Acanthopyge (Figure 2) 60 Figure 2. Acanthopyge (Acanthopyge) sp. It belongs to the Middle Devonian and comes from the Mader Basin. Recovery process of a trilobite made with micro air abrasive media. 5 = CT Scan of the caparace. The 2.3. Methods trilobite was prepared in Canada by Dave Comfort. It is conserved in Joan Corbacho's collection (JC30). The methods that have been carried out in this paper are Ultraviolet rays for Figure 1, CT Scanning and radiography 1.2. Geographical, Geological Settings and Localities for the rest of images. Platypeltoides cuervoae (Corbacho & López-Soriano, 2.3.1. CT Scanning 2012) originating from matrix composed of blue-gray Two different CT Scans have been used, one from the ferruginous sandstones of the Lower Fezouata Formation of Catalan Institute of Paleontology (=ICP) of Sabadell (Spain), 49 Joan Corbacho et al.: Use of CT Scanning and Radiography as Legal Expert Evidence in Paleontology (Trilobites of Morocco) using an industrial CT-scan YXLON Y-TU 450-D09 only for specimen radiographs in June 2013 for specimens of Acanthopyge (Figure 3), under the following parameters: 300 kV, 2.3 mA, 1 mm cupper filter, 80 projections, 50 ms. Another from the Natural History Museum (=NHM) of London (UK) using a micro CT-scan Nikon Metrology HMX ST 225 model in May 2019 for the holotype (NHMUK- it28944) and paratype (NHMUK-it28945) plus another disarticulated caparace that has appeared below them when scanning Platypeltoides cuervoae deposited at the NHM in London, (Figure 4), under the following parameters: 225 kV, 500 µA, 1.6 mm silver filter, 3142 projections, 1415 ms exposure time and a voxel size of 0.107728 mm. The image process and 3D final models were carried out by using the software AVIZO 7.1.0. a) Trilobites of the Middle Devonian of the Mader basin, South of Morocco (Figure 3). Two complete specimens of Acanthopyge (A.) sp. These CT Scans were used to rule out possible falsifications since they were purchased from a Moroccan fossil specialist and will be used to describe the two new species. The specimen of image 1 was discarded and that of image 2 was reserved as a paratype. Figure 3. Acanthopyge (A) sp. CT Scanning. 1= Specimen in which three pieces have been assembled with segments and cannot be guaranteed that the different pieces that are observed are of a single individual. 2 = Presents a totally authentic specimen without any breakage. b) Trilobites from the Lower Ordovician of the Guelmim region, Southwest of Morocco (Figures 4, 5 and 8). The holotype and the paratype of Platypeltoides cuervoae deposited in the NHM of London (UK) with the numbers NHMUK-it28944 for the holotype and NHMUK- it28945 for the paratype and another disarticulated caparace that has appeared below them during the scanning process are presented (Figure 4, image 2). In Figure 4, it is observed that the repaired elements with resin do not impede the ability to make an accurate description of the species. Typically, the large trilobite fossils of this locality present Figure 4. CT Scanning of Platypeltoides cuervoae (Corbacho & López- fractures, it is virtually impossible to extract them Soriano, 2012). 1a (dark blue) = disarticulated caparace, 1b (green color) = completely without breaking. Images 3 and 4 of Figure 4 holotype (NHMUK-it28944), 1c (light blue) = paratype (NHMUK-it28945), clearly show that the fossils have not been mounted in the 1d (red color) = resin; 2 = disarticulated caparace; 3a = caparaces of the trilobites, 3b = union between the genal spine and the matrix, 3c= matrix, matrix because there is no space or fill between the fossil 3d = resin in matrix and fossil; 4a = caparaces of the trilobites, 4b = union and the matrix. between the fossil and the matrix, 4c = matrix, 4d = resin in the matrix and in the fossil. American Journal of Life Sciences 2019; 7(2): 47-53 50 region, Southwest of Morocco (Figure 7). A repaired specimen of Platypeltoides cuervoae conserved in Joan Corbacho's collection under the annotation JC100. It was purchased at Expominer (fossil fair in Barcelona, Spain) from a Spanish merchant. Figure 5. CT Scanning of the original plate with the specimens of Platypeltoides cuervoae that are conserved in the NHM of London (UK). In red, the parts reconstructed with resin are indicated, in orange color = matrix resin. 2.3.2. Radiographs The Radiographs were taken at the Veterinary Clinic Morera of Sabadell (Spain) in March 2018 with a Toshiba Model Rotanode - E7239X. The adjustments for the radiographs have been calibrated at 70 and 80 KV and between 24 and 32 mAs. a) Trilobites from the Lower Ordovician of the Guelmim area, Southwest of Morocco (Figure 6). We present the specimens of two paratypes of Platypeltoides cuervoae conserved temporarilly in Joan Corbacho's collection in the Geological Museum of the Seminary (=MGS) of Barcelona (Spain), under the annotations MGSB-JC76 and MGSB- JC77. Figure 7. Radiography of a specimen of P. cuervoae from Morocco. 1= It is observed that neither the distal part of the left genal spine nor the entire right genal spine appear precisely where the fractures exist. This is because they have been replaced with matrix material mixed with resin. This is irrefutable proof of the effectiveness of radiographs to verify the authenticity of fossils figured in Figure 5 and this statement is also applicable for the other fossils shown in this document that have been radiographed. 2 = Current view of the specimen of image 1. Figure 6. Radiography of two paratypes of Platypeltoides cuervoae (Corbacho & López-Soriano, 2012). 1= In this radiography it is clearly shown that the genal spines are not resin, it is also seen that the left genal spine of the upper individual is complete and the right genal spine, despite being broken, shows all the pieces fit perfectly together. If they were made of resin, they would not be seen on the radiograph. 2= Actual view of the two specimens in image 1. Figure 8. Original photography of the holotype and paratype of Platypeltoides cuervoae preserved at the NHM in London (UK). Images b) Trilobite of the Lower Ordovician of the Guelmim treated with ammonium chloride. After [18]. 51 Joan Corbacho et al.: Use of CT Scanning and Radiography as Legal Expert Evidence in Paleontology (Trilobites of Morocco) c) Trilobite of the Upper Ordovician of Bou Nemrou, El Kaid Errami, East of Anti-Atlas, Morocco (Figure 9). A complete specimen of the holotype of Basilicus calzadai deposited in the MGS of Barcelona (Spain) under the annotation MGSB77680. Before performing the radiograph, this specimen was cleaned with acetone to remove a small repair that had been made to the right genal spine. Figure 10. Placoparia sp. The radiograph confirms that the specimen is Figure 9. Radiograph of the holotype of Basilicus calzadai Corbacho, 2011. complete and only shows a small break at the level of the anterior part of the 1 = There is a slight break in the left part of the cephalon and missing pieces pygidium. in the right genal spine that does not impact the correct description of the species. 2 = Actual view of the specimen showing that all the characteristics e) Trilobites of the Upper Ordovician of Bou Nemrou, El of the specimen are exhibited clearly that an accurate description can be Kaid Errami, East of Anti-Atlas, Morocco (Figure 11). A determined. complete specimen of the holotype of Zeliszkella (Z.) velai d) Trilobite of the Upper Ordovician of Bou Nemrou, El and two cranidia of the holotype and the paratype of Kaid Errami, East of Anti-Atlas, Morocco (Figure 10). A Degamella sendinoae are shown in article [2] and conserved complete example of Placoparia sp. figured in the article in the MGS of Barcelona (Spain) under the annotations [2] and conserved in Joan Corbacho's collection (JC20). MGSB77682, MGSB77681 and MGSB77684 respectively. American Journal of Life Sciences 2019; 7(2): 47-53 52 maintain all the necessary characteristics to make a correct description of a new species. A good illustrative example of this practice comes from Professor Richard Fortey, (NHM) of London (UK) in 2009 who described a new species of Moroccan trilobite, Asaphellus stubbsi, in spite of being partly restored, which is explained fully in the text of the description [19]. Computed tomography and radiography are essential tools for judges, prosecutors, lawyers and legal experts in paleontology. Acknowledgements We thank Vincent Fernández of the NHM of London (UK) for the realization of the CT Scans. We would like to express our gratitude to the staff of the Veterinary Clinic Morera of Sabadell (Spain) for carrying out the radiographs. Our thanks for the important collaboration in the fieldwork and obtaining specimens from Said Oukharbouch from Taouz, Brahim Tahiri from Arfoud and from Mohamet Ben Moula and his family from Taichoute (Morocco). Finally thanks to the anonymous referees who provided important commentaries on the submitted version of this paper. This article has been funded in part by the Association of Legal Experts of Catalonia (Spain) within the project APTC- 2019-PALEO. References [1] J. Corbacho & C. Sendino 2012. Fossil fakes and their recognition. Deposits Magazine 30: 35-40. [2] J. Corbacho 2011. Trilobites from the Upper Ordovician of Bou Nemrou–El Kaid Errami (Morocco). Batalleria 16: 16- Figure 11. It is observed in the radiographic image that the holotype of 36. Zeliszkella (Z.) velai Corbacho, 2011 and the holotype and paratype of Degamella sendinoae Corbacho, 2011 are complete without any fracture. No [3] J. Corbacho, F. J. López-Soriano, U. Lemke, S. Morrison & K. resin is observed in the fossil or in the matrix. Hammond 2018. Diversity and Distribution of the Genus Platypeltoides (Nileidae) in Morocco. American Journal of 2.3.3. Photographs Bioscience and Bioengineering 6 (2): 13-20. Photographic imaging was produced utilizing a CANON [4] P. Hohenstein 2004. X-ray imaging for palaeontology. The EOS 1100D digital camera. British Journal of Radiology 77: 917, 420-425. 2.3.4. Ultraviolet Rays [5] F. Rita, O. Mateus & M. Overbeeke 2008. Acta Radiológica For the image of Figure 1 an Electronic Inspection Lamp Portuguesa, Vol. XX, nº 80, pág. 83-84, Out.-Dez. 8W of the brand Sentao Electronics, model YH8-1 has been [6] J. Corbacho &, J. A. Vela 2009. Falsificación de fósiles del N used. Technical data: Uout=700VAC. de Africa (no trilobites). Batalleria 14: 53-56. [7] J. Corbacho, I. Corbacho & S. Morrison 2015. Últimas 3. Conclusions técnicas detectadas en la falsificación de fósiles. Batalleria 22: 22-27. This article demonstrates the authenticity of the specimens presented through the use of the CT Scanning and [8] R. Racicot 2017. Fossil secrets revealed: X-Ray CT Scanning radiography. It also shows an example of the use of and Applications in Paleontology. The Paleontological Society Papers, 22: 21–38. ultraviolet rays and another demonstration by high resolution photographs of the fossil recovery process. [9] T. Matthews & A. du Plessis 2016. Using X-ray computed With the tests shown here, we can affirm that the presented tomography analysis tools to compare the skeletal element specimens except those of Figure 3, 1 and that of Figure 7, morphology of fossil and modern frog (Anura) species. Palaeontologia Electronica 19.1.1T: 1-46. 53 Joan Corbacho et al.: Use of CT Scanning and Radiography as Legal Expert Evidence in Paleontology (Trilobites of Morocco) [10] D. A. Iurino, M. Danti, S. W. Della Sala & R. Sardella 2013. Rayfield & P. C. J. Donoghue 2014. A virtual world of Modern techniques for ancient bones: Vertebrate paleontology. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 29 (6): 347-357. Palaeontology and medical CT analysis. Bollettino della Società Paleontologica Italiana i-xi [15] A. Lukeneder 2012. Computed 3D visualisation of an extinct doi:10.4435/BSPI.2013.13. cephalopod using computer tomographs. Computers & Geosciences 45: 68-74. [11] D. Schwarz, P. Vontobel, E. H. Lehmann, C. A. Meyer & G. Bongartz 2005. Neutron Tomography of Internal Structures of [16] N. Kelley 2017. Paleontology: Scanning for Sea Monsters. Vertebrate Remains: A Comparison with X-ray Computed Current Biology 27: R1305–R1329. Tomography. Palaeontologia Electronica 8, Issue 2; 30A: 11p, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2017.11.019 800KB. [17] J. M. Neenan, T. Reich, S. W. Evers, P. Barrett, S. Pierce & R. [12] T. Rowe, Z. Luo, R. A. Ketcham, J. A. Maisano & M. W. Benson 2017. Evolution of the Sauropterygian Labyrinth with Colbert 2016. X-ray computed tomography datasets for Increasingly Pelagic Lifestyles. Current Biology 27: 3852– forensic analysis of vertebrate fossils. Sci Data 3 Figshare. 3858. http://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.1612235. [18] J. Corbacho & F. J. López-Soriano, 2012. A new asaphid [13] J. Corbacho 2014. Trabajo de final de Master (TFM); Pericia y trilobite from the Lower Ordovician (Arenig) of Morocco. Tasación Judicial. Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes. Batalleria 17: 3-11. 36 pp. [19] R. A. Fortey 2009. A new giant asaphid trilobite from the [14] J. A. Cunningham, I. A. Rahman, S. J. Lautenschlager, E. J. Lower Ordovician of Morocco. Memoirs of the Association of Australasian Palaeontologists 37: 9-16.