Abstract
Fatal falls from heights (˃3 m) often result in blunt force trauma (BFT) to the skeleton. The fracture patterns that result from this BFT mechanism are well understood in forensic anthropology and forensic pathology; however, details of the specific types of fractures that result remain poorly documented. The aim of this study was to provide a detailed examination of the types of fractures that may result from fatal high falls. Fractures were recorded from 95 full-body postmortem computed tomography scans of individuals known to have died from a high fall. Trauma was then analyzed taking into account the extrinsic and intrinsic variables known to influence a fall using multiple logistic regression. A total of 339 types of fractures were classified, of which 16 were significantly associated with this BFT mechanism. Classified fracture types will augment anthropological interpretations of the circumstances of death from BFT in cases of suspected high falls.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 375-384 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Journal of Forensic Sciences |
| Volume | 64 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2019 |
Keywords
- blunt force trauma
- forensic anthropology
- forensic science
- fracture types
- high free fall
- postmortem computed tomography
- skeletal trauma
Cite this
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An Anthropological Examination of the Types of Skeletal Fractures Resulting from Fatal High (˃3 m) Free Falls. / Rowbotham, Samantha K.; Blau, Soren; Hislop-Jambrich, Jacqueline; Francis, Victoria.
In: Journal of Forensic Sciences, Vol. 64, No. 2, 01.03.2019, p. 375-384.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - An Anthropological Examination of the Types of Skeletal Fractures Resulting from Fatal High (˃3 m) Free Falls
AU - Rowbotham, Samantha K.
AU - Blau, Soren
AU - Hislop-Jambrich, Jacqueline
AU - Francis, Victoria
PY - 2019/3/1
Y1 - 2019/3/1
N2 - Fatal falls from heights (˃3 m) often result in blunt force trauma (BFT) to the skeleton. The fracture patterns that result from this BFT mechanism are well understood in forensic anthropology and forensic pathology; however, details of the specific types of fractures that result remain poorly documented. The aim of this study was to provide a detailed examination of the types of fractures that may result from fatal high falls. Fractures were recorded from 95 full-body postmortem computed tomography scans of individuals known to have died from a high fall. Trauma was then analyzed taking into account the extrinsic and intrinsic variables known to influence a fall using multiple logistic regression. A total of 339 types of fractures were classified, of which 16 were significantly associated with this BFT mechanism. Classified fracture types will augment anthropological interpretations of the circumstances of death from BFT in cases of suspected high falls.
AB - Fatal falls from heights (˃3 m) often result in blunt force trauma (BFT) to the skeleton. The fracture patterns that result from this BFT mechanism are well understood in forensic anthropology and forensic pathology; however, details of the specific types of fractures that result remain poorly documented. The aim of this study was to provide a detailed examination of the types of fractures that may result from fatal high falls. Fractures were recorded from 95 full-body postmortem computed tomography scans of individuals known to have died from a high fall. Trauma was then analyzed taking into account the extrinsic and intrinsic variables known to influence a fall using multiple logistic regression. A total of 339 types of fractures were classified, of which 16 were significantly associated with this BFT mechanism. Classified fracture types will augment anthropological interpretations of the circumstances of death from BFT in cases of suspected high falls.
KW - blunt force trauma
KW - forensic anthropology
KW - forensic science
KW - fracture types
KW - high free fall
KW - postmortem computed tomography
KW - skeletal trauma
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85053218119&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/1556-4029.13887
DO - 10.1111/1556-4029.13887
M3 - Article
VL - 64
SP - 375
EP - 384
JO - Journal of Forensic Sciences
JF - Journal of Forensic Sciences
SN - 0022-1198
IS - 2
ER -