Opinion ID: 1587246
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Photographs of reconstructed skull.

Text: The Commonwealth's forensic anthropologist partially reconstructed the victim's skull from bones found on or inside her body to assist in estimating the number and nature of the blows inflicted upon her. The Commonwealth did not introduce the skull, itself, but only three photographs that were used to explain the testimony of the witness. Even bones and bone fragments from the victim's body are admissible if relevant. Tamme, 973 S.W.2d at 36; Tackett v. Commonwealth, 245 Ky. 98, 53 S.W.2d 218 (1932); Robey v. Commonwealth, 243 Ky. 407, 48 S.W.2d 822 (1932). Likewise, even gruesome photographs are admissible if they have probative value. Tamme , at 36; Epperson v. Commonwealth, Ky., 809 S.W.2d 835, 843 (1990). The number and nature of the blows inflicted upon the victim were relevant to prove the corpus delicti and to refute a potential claim that the person who inflicted the blows lacked the intent to kill the victim. KRS 507.030(1)(a).