Paul Francis Lawson - Revision history

A1065010: /* DNA from the bust */

2018-05-17T05:49:10Z

DNA from the bust

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:19, 17 May 2018
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	===DNA from the bust===		===DNA from the bust===
	Some of the man's hairs became embedded in the mould, pulling the hair out with the roots pointing upwards. Then when the plaster was poured into the mould, the roots got embedded into the plaster. To get the paternal DNA (YDNA) of the man, one needs the hair roots. Pulling hairs out of the plaster does not work, as the roots snap off and remain in the plaster. Unfortunately, one would have to damage the bust by dissolving the plaster in citric acid to safely recover the hair roots. As the bust is now a historical object, it would be preferable to ~~exhumate~~ the body. The man's teeth would be a good source of DNA. If the body cannot be accessed (for whatever reason) one ~~possibility~~ is to make a duplicate of the bust and ~~destroy~~ the original one. <br /><br />		Some of the man's hairs became embedded in the mould, pulling the hair out with the roots pointing upwards. Then when the plaster was poured into the mould, the roots got embedded into the plaster. To get the paternal DNA (YDNA) of the man, one needs the hair roots. Pulling hairs out of the plaster does not work, as the roots snap off and remain in the plaster. Unfortunately, one would have to damage the bust by dissolving the plaster in citric acid to safely recover the hair roots. As the bust is now a historical object, it would be preferable to exhume the body. The man's teeth would be a good source of DNA. If the body cannot be accessed (for whatever reason) one possible last resort is to make a duplicate of the bust and use part of the original one. <br /><br />

	===The strange case of Mrs Thompson===		===The strange case of Mrs Thompson===

Dabbott at 00:09, 1 January 2014

2014-01-01T00:09:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:39, 1 January 2014
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	In 1939, Lawson was asked to skin a black ape from the [[Adelaide Zoo]] that had died of unknown cause. Immediately after, Lawson was critically hospitalized for two weeks with an undiagnosed illness. The symptoms were an alternating hot and cold fever. Lawson's prior personal activities in gym work and amateur wrestling, came to an end as a result.		In 1939, Lawson was asked to skin a black ape from the [[Adelaide Zoo]] that had died of unknown cause. Immediately after, Lawson was critically hospitalized for two weeks with an undiagnosed illness. The symptoms were an alternating hot and cold fever. Lawson's prior personal activities in gym work and amateur wrestling, came to an end as a result.

	==The ~~Taman Shud~~ case==		==The Somerton case==
	Lawson was called upon by [[Sir John Burton Cleland]] to make the plaster cast bust of the Somerton Man. Cleland's original orders were for Lawson to make the bust, a cast of the Somerton Man's rather large hands, and a cast of the Somerton Man's skull. The idea of casting the skull was so that Cleland could keep the skull for future examination and bury the man with a substituted plaster skull.		Lawson was called upon by [[Sir John Burton Cleland]] to make the plaster cast bust of the Somerton Man. Cleland's original orders were for Lawson to make the bust, a cast of the Somerton Man's rather large hands, and a cast of the Somerton Man's skull. The idea of casting the skull was so that Cleland could keep the skull for future examination and bury the man with a substituted plaster skull.
	After the bust was moulded, Lawson proceeded to peel back the scalp in order to remove the skull, as ordered, when the Police hurriedly removed the body insisting it had to be buried immediately. Given that the body had not been buried for six months, it seemed rather odd to Lawson that the Police could not wait another day. And in reality, the body did not get buried for another 6 days. Thus, the cast of the skull and hands were unfortunately never carried out.		After the bust was moulded, Lawson proceeded to peel back the scalp in order to remove the skull, as ordered, when the Police hurriedly removed the body insisting it had to be buried immediately. Given that the body had not been buried for six months, it seemed rather odd to Lawson that the Police could not wait another day. And in reality, the body did not get buried for another 6 days. Thus, the cast of the skull and hands were unfortunately never carried out.

Dabbott: /* Personal life */

2013-12-29T12:56:54Z

Personal life

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:26, 29 December 2013
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	==Personal life==		==Personal life==
	Lawson was married in 1942 and had two girls. His hobbies used to include driving classic [[midget car racing\|speedway cars]] and [[clay target shooting]]. For target shooting, he won the 1936, 1937 and 1952 South Australian State Championships.		Lawson was married in 1942 and had two girls. His hobbies used to include driving classic [[midget car racing\|speedway cars]] and [[clay target shooting]]. For target shooting, he won the 1936, 1937 and 1952 South Australian State Championships.

			==Documents==
			* [http://www.eleceng.adelaide.edu.au/personal/dabbott/tamanshud/lawson_diaries.pdf The Lawson diaries (1949)]

	==See also==		==See also==

Dabbott: /* Manufacture of the bust */

2013-07-16T09:29:43Z

Manufacture of the bust

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:59, 16 July 2013
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	After the bust was moulded, Lawson proceeded to peel back the scalp in order to remove the skull, as ordered, when the Police hurriedly removed the body insisting it had to be buried immediately. Given that the body had not been buried for six months, it seemed rather odd to Lawson that the Police could not wait another day. And in reality, the body did not get buried for another 6 days. Thus, the cast of the skull and hands were unfortunately never carried out.		After the bust was moulded, Lawson proceeded to peel back the scalp in order to remove the skull, as ordered, when the Police hurriedly removed the body insisting it had to be buried immediately. Given that the body had not been buried for six months, it seemed rather odd to Lawson that the Police could not wait another day. And in reality, the body did not get buried for another 6 days. Thus, the cast of the skull and hands were unfortunately never carried out.

	===~~Manufacture~~ of the ~~bust~~===		===Lawson's observations of the body===
	Lawson was not allowed by the Police to transport the body to his laboratory, and the moulding work had to be carried out at the City Morgue using limited materials and tools. Lawson was not allowed any assistance, and carried out the work with three detectives watching over him. As the frozen body was thawing, the skin became very damp and Lawson co-opted the detectives to keep padding it dry. Lawson observed that all the internal organs and brain had been totally removed previously (for toxicological testing). Due to discolouration of the skin, as the body was 6 months old, Lawson could not see the nicotine stains on the dead man's fingers. Lawson was not able to observe the man's teeth as the mouth was locked closed. Lawson noticed the toe and finger nails were clean and well trimmed. He also noted high calf muscles and wedged toes. Having been an amateur wrestler, himself, Lawson particularly admired that the man had a strong upper body with narrow waist. He noticed the skin on the hands and feet were particularly soft with no signs of manual labour.		Lawson was not allowed by the Police to transport the body to his laboratory, and the moulding work had to be carried out at the City Morgue using limited materials and tools. Lawson was not allowed any assistance, and carried out the work with three detectives watching over him. As the frozen body was thawing, the skin became very damp and Lawson co-opted the detectives to keep padding it dry. Lawson observed that all the internal organs and brain had been totally removed previously (for toxicological testing). Due to discolouration of the skin, as the body was 6 months old, Lawson could not see the nicotine stains on the dead man's fingers. Lawson was not able to observe the man's teeth as the mouth was locked closed. Lawson noticed the toe and finger nails were clean and well trimmed. He also noted high calf muscles and wedged toes. Having been an amateur wrestler, himself, Lawson particularly admired that the man had a strong upper body with narrow waist. He noticed the skin on the hands and feet were particularly soft with no signs of manual labour.

			===Manufacture of the bust===
	Lawson's method was to build a wooden frame around the upper body, plugging up any gaps with clay. He then poured in plaster of Paris,		Lawson's method was to build a wooden frame around the upper body, plugging up any gaps with clay. He then poured in plaster of Paris,
	to create a mould. The process was then repeated with the body turned over, to make the second half of the mould. Then the ears had to have individual moulds made. The man's hair appears neatly in the final bust, as Lawson employed a trick of combing liquid soap into the hair so it wouldn't stick to the plaster. Once the moulds were completed at the City Morgue, Lawson was then able to take them back to his lab to finally cast the bust and ears, and stick the ears into place. For the casting process he used plaster of Paris reinforced with sisal fibres. The original mould does not exist today as it had to be chipped away from the bust and discarded. Because, the body had been lying on a morgue slab for six months the back of the head appears flattened.		to create a mould. The process was then repeated with the body turned over, to make the second half of the mould. Then the ears had to have individual moulds made. The man's hair appears neatly in the final bust, as Lawson employed a trick of combing liquid soap into the hair so it wouldn't stick to the plaster. Once the moulds were completed at the City Morgue, Lawson was then able to take them back to his lab to finally cast the bust and ears, and stick the ears into place. For the casting process he used plaster of Paris reinforced with sisal fibres. The original mould does not exist today as it had to be chipped away from the bust and discarded. Because, the body had been lying on a morgue slab for six months the back of the head appears flattened.

Dabbott: /* Manufacture of the bust */

2013-07-16T09:28:34Z

Manufacture of the bust

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:58, 16 July 2013
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	===Manufacture of the bust===		===Manufacture of the bust===
	Lawson was not allowed by the Police to transport the body to his laboratory, and the moulding work had to be carried out at the City Morgue using limited materials and tools. Lawson was not allowed any assistance, and carried out the work with three detectives watching over him. As the frozen body was thawing, the skin became very damp and Lawson co-opted the detectives to keep padding it dry. Lawson observed that all the internal organs and brain had been totally removed previously (for toxicological testing). Due to discolouration of the skin, as the body was 6 months old, Lawson could not see the nicotine stains on the dead man's fingers. Lawson was not able to observe the man's teeth as the mouth was locked closed ~~with ''rigor mortis''~~. Lawson noticed the toe and finger nails were clean and well trimmed. He also noted high calf muscles and wedged toes. Having been an amateur wrestler, himself, Lawson particularly admired that the man had a strong upper body with narrow waist. He noticed the skin on the hands and feet were particularly soft with no signs of manual labour.		Lawson was not allowed by the Police to transport the body to his laboratory, and the moulding work had to be carried out at the City Morgue using limited materials and tools. Lawson was not allowed any assistance, and carried out the work with three detectives watching over him. As the frozen body was thawing, the skin became very damp and Lawson co-opted the detectives to keep padding it dry. Lawson observed that all the internal organs and brain had been totally removed previously (for toxicological testing). Due to discolouration of the skin, as the body was 6 months old, Lawson could not see the nicotine stains on the dead man's fingers. Lawson was not able to observe the man's teeth as the mouth was locked closed. Lawson noticed the toe and finger nails were clean and well trimmed. He also noted high calf muscles and wedged toes. Having been an amateur wrestler, himself, Lawson particularly admired that the man had a strong upper body with narrow waist. He noticed the skin on the hands and feet were particularly soft with no signs of manual labour.

	Lawson's method was to build a wooden frame around the upper body, plugging up any gaps with clay. He then poured in plaster of Paris,		Lawson's method was to build a wooden frame around the upper body, plugging up any gaps with clay. He then poured in plaster of Paris,

Dabbott: /* External links */

2011-04-17T09:57:57Z

External links

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:27, 17 April 2011
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	==External links==		==External links==
	* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=~~buvsMrFZDQA~~ 1978 video of Paul Lawson on the plaster cast]		* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=605V1-o3r1Y 1978 video of Paul Lawson on the plaster cast]
	* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u571rcZHs-I 2009 video of Paul Lawson on Mrs Thompson]		* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u571rcZHs-I 2009 video of Paul Lawson on Mrs Thompson]

Dabbott: /* External links */

2011-04-17T09:55:16Z

External links

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:25, 17 April 2011
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	==External links==		==External links==
	* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buvsMrFZDQA 1978 video of Paul Lawson on the plaster cast]		* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buvsMrFZDQA 1978 video of Paul Lawson on the plaster cast]
	* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=~~g4hAb1r0jUU~~ 2009 video of Paul Lawson on Mrs Thompson]		* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u571rcZHs-I 2009 video of Paul Lawson on Mrs Thompson]

	==Back==		==Back==

Dabbott: /* Timeline */

2009-10-18T07:20:11Z

Timeline

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:50, 18 October 2009
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	* '''1949''' June 10th, Paul Lawson finishes breaking away the moulds from the plaster.		* '''1949''' June 10th, Paul Lawson finishes breaking away the moulds from the plaster.
	* '''1949''' June 14th, the Somerton man is buried.		* '''1949''' June 14th, the Somerton man is buried.
	* '''1949''' June 15th, Lawson completes finishing touches to the bust in his lab. Brown, Noblet, Leane, and Cleland inspect the bust. The anthropologist [[Norman Barnett Tindale\|Norman Barnett ("Tinny") Tindale]] also inspected the bust. He was an expert in ~~ethical~~ facial features, and his comments were not recorded (presumably this means he was unable to make any firm judgement).		* '''1949''' June 15th, Lawson completes finishing touches to the bust in his lab. Brown, Noblet, Leane, and Cleland inspect the bust. The anthropologist [[Norman Barnett Tindale\|Norman Barnett ("Tinny") Tindale]] also inspected the bust. He was an expert in ethnic facial features, and his comments were not recorded (presumably this means he was unable to make any firm judgement).
	* '''1949''' June 16th, Cast is handed over to Police Constable Horsnell who arranged photographs and delivery to inquest.		* '''1949''' June 16th, Cast is handed over to Police Constable Horsnell who arranged photographs and delivery to inquest.
	* '''1949''' June 17th, The coronial inquest begins in the [[IOOF]] building at 11-13 Flinder's Street, Adelaide. Lawson's testimony was given on the morning of the 17th.		* '''1949''' June 17th, The coronial inquest begins in the [[IOOF]] building at 11-13 Flinder's Street, Adelaide. Lawson's testimony was given on the morning of the 17th.

Dabbott: /* The strange case of Mrs Thompson */

2009-10-18T07:18:37Z

The strange case of Mrs Thompson

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:48, 18 October 2009
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	===The strange case of Mrs Thompson===		===The strange case of Mrs Thompson===
	The police traced the phone number in the back of the dead man's book to that of a former nurse who lived only 1/4 of a mile away from where the body was found. In the 1978 ABC documentary she is named as '~~Jestin~~'. On the 26th of July 1949, she was bought by three detectives to Paul Lawson's office to view the bust to find out if she recognized the man or could possibly confirm if it was Alf Boxall or not. Lawson's diary entry for that day names her as 'Mrs Thompson'. Lawson describes her as a short lady. She dressed in light coloured clothes that day. She had an nice figure, and according to Lawson her level of beauty was "very acceptable", thus leaving open an affair of the heart with the Somerton Man in the realm of plausibility. Lawson describes her behaviour on that day as odd. Essentially as soon as the bust was uncovered she averted her eyes, her eyes dropped to the floor, and she stared at the floor for the entire period of police questioning. All her answers to every question were either "no" or "don't know." Lawson no longer remembers what the specific police questions were, however, newspapers report that she stated that she couldn't tell if the bust was Alf Boxall or not.		The police traced the phone number in the back of the dead man's book to that of a former nurse who lived only 1/4 of a mile away from where the body was found. In the 1978 ABC documentary she is named as 'Jestyn'. On the 26th of July 1949, she was bought by three detectives to Paul Lawson's office to view the bust to find out if she recognized the man or could possibly confirm if it was Alf Boxall or not. Lawson's diary entry for that day names her as 'Mrs Thompson'. Lawson describes her as a short lady. She dressed in light coloured clothes that day. She had an nice figure, and according to Lawson her level of beauty was "very acceptable", thus leaving open an affair of the heart with the Somerton Man in the realm of plausibility. Lawson describes her behaviour on that day as odd. Essentially as soon as the bust was uncovered she averted her eyes, her eyes dropped to the floor, and she stared at the floor for the entire period of police questioning. All her answers to every question were either "no" or "don't know." Lawson no longer remembers what the specific police questions were, however, newspapers report that she stated that she couldn't tell if the bust was Alf Boxall or not.

	===Timeline===		===Timeline===

Dabbott: /* Timeline */

2009-05-06T01:02:41Z

Timeline

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:32, 6 May 2009
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	* '''1949''' June 10th, Paul Lawson finishes breaking away the moulds from the plaster.		* '''1949''' June 10th, Paul Lawson finishes breaking away the moulds from the plaster.
	* '''1949''' June 14th, the Somerton man is buried.		* '''1949''' June 14th, the Somerton man is buried.
	* '''1949''' June 15th, Lawson completes finishing touches to the bust in his lab. Brown, Noblet, Leane, and Cleland inspect the bust. The anthropologist Norman ~~Bertram~~ Tindale also inspected the bust. He was an expert in ethical facial features, and his comments were not recorded (presumably this means he was unable to make any firm judgement).		* '''1949''' June 15th, Lawson completes finishing touches to the bust in his lab. Brown, Noblet, Leane, and Cleland inspect the bust. The anthropologist [[Norman Barnett Tindale\|Norman Barnett ("Tinny") Tindale]] also inspected the bust. He was an expert in ethical facial features, and his comments were not recorded (presumably this means he was unable to make any firm judgement).
	* '''1949''' June 16th, Cast is handed over to Police Constable Horsnell who arranged photographs and delivery to inquest.		* '''1949''' June 16th, Cast is handed over to Police Constable Horsnell who arranged photographs and delivery to inquest.
	* '''1949''' June 17th, The coronial inquest begins in the [[IOOF]] building at 11-13 Flinder's Street, Adelaide. Lawson's testimony was given on the morning of the 17th.		* '''1949''' June 17th, The coronial inquest begins in the [[IOOF]] building at 11-13 Flinder's Street, Adelaide. Lawson's testimony was given on the morning of the 17th.