The circumstances and characteristics of fatal falls in Victoria, Australia: a descriptive study

et al. 2018

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The injury patterns resulting from fatal high (˃3 m) free falls have previously been documented in clinical and medico-legal contexts; however, details relating specifically to the skeletal blunt force trauma (BFT) have been limited. This study aimed to augment what is known of the skeletal fracture patterns resulting from fatal high free falls. Skeletal trauma was analyzed from full-body postmortem computed tomography scans of 95 individuals who died following a high free fall. Fracture patterns were documented using the five general anatomical regions, axial and appendicular regions, and postcranial unilateral and bilateral regions. Patterns were analyzed in the context of the extrinsic and intrinsic variables that may influence fractures using multiple logistic regression. Fracture patterns involved all aspects of the skeleton, with 98.9% exhibiting polytrauma, and were influenced primarily by the height fallen, manner of death, and landing surface. This improved understanding of fracture patterns will augment anthropological interpretations of the mechanism of BFT in cases of suspected high falls.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Assessment of the Skeletal Fracture Patterns Resulting from Fatal High (˃3 m) Free Falls

et al. 2018

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“…A retrospective review under ethics approval of the NCIS database for fatal falls in the state of Victoria, Australia, between 2005 and 2014 identified 227 cases of low (≤3 m) free falls . Coronial documentation for each of these cases (i.e., pathology report, toxicology report, police report, and the coroner's findings) was reviewed, and the variables that have previously been reported in the literature to influence an individuals' fall , as these influence how their skeleton fractures, were recorded.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Skeletal Trauma Resulting From Fatal Low (≤3 m) Free Falls: An Analysis of Fracture Patterns and Morphologies

et al. 2017

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The skeletal trauma resulting from fatal low (≤3 m) free falls is poorly researched and understood by forensic practitioners. The aim of this study was to identify the types of skeletal trauma resulting from low falls through investigating fracture patterns and morphologies. Skeletal trauma was analyzed using full-body postmortem computed tomography scans of 145 individuals who died from a low free fall. Trauma was then contextualized to the variables that influence how a person falls using multiple logistic regression. Results showed fracture patterning primarily involved the axial skeleton and that there were a number of patterns significantly associated with the height fallen, pre-existing health conditions, and age. Analysis of fracture morphologies showed 108 possible fracture types, six of which were significantly associated with the height fallen. Understanding the skeletal trauma characteristic of low free falls will further inform anthropological interpretations of trauma in cases where a fall may be considered the possible mechanism.

“…Details of these investigations include the autopsy report, police scene attendance report, postmortem toxicology results, and the coroner's findings, and are recorded in the National Coronial Information System (NCIS) online database. A retrospective review of the NCIS for fatal high free falls between 2005 and 2014 identified 157 cases . This was supplemented with a further 31 cases since 2014 using the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine's (VIFM) internal case management system.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Anthropological Examination of the Types of Skeletal Fractures Resulting from Fatal High (˃3 m) Free Falls,

et al. 2018

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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.