Fracture Dating

The role of the forensic anthropologist in the pediatric autopsy: Interpretations, contributions, and challenges

“…For thorough discussions of these healing phases both from a cellular and dry bone perspective, see Baker 2014 tibia; note the exposed trabecular bone along the margins but the thickening and rounding of the physeal plate that is still attached affected by numerous factors including: age, general health, location of injury, injury severity, mobility of the injury site, the presence of other injuries, and repeat trauma to the same site (Bilo et al, 2010b;Dreizen, Spirakis, & Stone, 1964;Kleinman & Walters, 2015;Marks et al, 2009;Ortner, 2003;Prosser et al, 2005). It is reported that younger children heal more rapidly than older children and that children heal more rapidly than adults (Bilo et al, 2010b;Cruess & Dumont, 1975;Frick, 2015;Ham, 1930;Martino, Falcone, Indolfi, Matarazzo, & Martino, 2011;Ubelaker & Montaperto, 2011), but the difference in rate is unknown making the estimation of TSI difficult to evaluate for pediatric bone. state that although pediatric histological estimates of TSI are general at best, it is better to have a general estimate rather than no estimate.…”

“…Histological sections of dry bone are prepared by imbedding the specimen in a hard medium, such as acrylic resin or plastic (Bilo et al, 2010b). A thick slice (2-3 mm) is cut perpendicular to the fracture line and the sample is handground to a thickness of 20-50 μm.…”

“…A thick slice (2-3 mm) is cut perpendicular to the fracture line and the sample is handground to a thickness of 20-50 μm. Histological staining is not required to evaluate the undecalcified bone sections if examined using two polarizing lights on a light microscope (Bilo et al, 2010b).…”

“…, Bilo, Robben, and van Rijn (2010b),Boyd (2018),Love et al (2011), andUbelaker and Montaperto (2011). The rate of healing, however, isF I G U R E 3Digital stereomicroscope photographs of the physeal surfaces of the long bones from Figure 2.…”

Diagnostic dry bone histology in human paleopathology

“…Therefore histology is useful to differentiate between bone lesions that were sustained prior to death and lesions that are the effect of post‐mortem damage. Also, experimental and clinical studies have shown that the bone tissue response after fracture or amputation follows a time‐dependent sequence (Bilo et al, ). Therefore specific healing features can be used to determine the minimum amount of time elapsed between the trauma and eventual death (i.e., the “posttraumatic survival time”).…”