The pathological diagnosis of the height of fatal falls: A mathematical approach

Casali, Massimiliano; Blandino, Alberto; Grignaschi, Silvia; Florio, Elena; Travaini, Guido; Genovese, Umberto

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.109883

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Low heights were associated with head soft tissue. Our results corroborate the fact that height of fall could be predictor of the set and extent of injuries 3,6,33,45 …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Our results corroborate the fact that height of fall could be predictor of the set and extent of injuries. 3,6,33,45 We found a significant correlation between the number of injured regions of the body and the height from which the fall was sustained. Other studies confirmed that lethal injuries involving multiple organs increased in number as height increased.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

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A 13-Year Study of Fatal Falls From Height in Northern Tunisia

Kort

Belhaj

Kebsi

et al. 2022

Am J Forensic Med Pathol

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IntroductionFalls from height are a major cause of unintentional injury death, resulting in high disability and mortality. We investigated the characteristics of fatal falls and their relationship with intentionality, injury patterns, and death on impact.Materials and MethodsIn this retrospective study, we examined 545 cases of fatal falls from height that underwent autopsy in the forensic department of the Charles Nicolle hospital of Tunis (Tunisia) between January 2008 and December 2020. Cases were reviewed in terms of demographics, fall characteristics, and autopsy findings.ResultsThe population was predominately male (86.6%). Four hundred twenty-one (77.3%) originated from accidents, 120 (22%) were found to be suicidal, with 4 homicide cases. A notable decline in cases was noticed following the Jasmine revolution, 2011 (R squared = 0.8). The mean height of falls was 8 m. Higher falls were associated with a set of organ-specific injuries. Organ injury pattern did not differ based on intentionality. Female victims were 2.4 times more likely to sustain pelvic injuries than males. The majority of victims deceased before reaching health care structures. Death on impact was strongly associated with higher falls, cranial impact, and organ-specific injuries, including cardiac, pulmonary, and skull injuries.Falls from height are in many cases preventable. A clearly defined fall safety policy, strict implementation of evidence-based interventions, efficient allocation of resources, and raising safety awareness must to be urgently implemented.ConclusionUnderstanding patterns of injury and the factors that influence death on impact may be of further interest in the prevention and management of survivors in the acute period.

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