Diagnosis of Skull Fractures According to Postmortem Interval: An Experimental Approach in a Porcine Model

Abstract

Most studies on fracture morphology of fresh or dry bones, specifically skull bones, have a limited focus, and they are often based on observations rather than experimental tests. This study characterized pig cranial fractures sustained under known impact conditions. An impact machine (mobile carriage guided by columns) was used to perform a fracture on each skull. Impacts were performed at the same energy level on fresh and dry bones, with two types of impactor: a sharp striker (n = 50) and a blunt striker (n = 50). We found distinct features under different conditions, including osseous flakes on fresh bones, 90° fracture angles on dry bones, and more fractures with greater fragmentation on dry bones. These features highlighted the effects of time on perimortem fracture characteristics and the importance of bone storage conditions in the study of fracture genesis.

The Sima de los Huesos Crania: Analysis of the cranial breakage patterns

“…A relatively thin layer of soft tissue (i.e., the scalp) allows the propagation of the strain across the sutures (Evans, 1957). In the dry skull (without soft tissue), the propagation of the strain tends to be interrupted by the suture line, which acts as a barrier to propagation (Evans, 1957;Fleming-Farrell et al, 2013;Gurdjian and Lissner, 1945;Jordana et al, 2013a), especially when the sutures are unfused (i.e., in immature individuals). For this reason we observed whether the fracture crosses through sutures (typical of the perimortem stage) or, on the contrary, whether the fractures are interrupted by the sutures (postmortem breakage) ( Table 2).…”

“…Fleming-Farrell et al, 2013;Johnson 1985;Jordana et al, 2013a;Ortner 2008;Outram et al, 2005;Villa and Mahieu 1991;Wieberg and Wescott 2008. 2: Fleming-Farrell et al, 2013;Johnson 1985; Jordana et al, 2013a,b;Ortner 2008;Outram et al, 2005;Villa and Mahieu 1991;Wheatley 2008;Wieberg and Wescott 2008.…”

“…2: Fleming-Farrell et al, 2013;Johnson 1985; Jordana et al, 2013a,b;Ortner 2008;Outram et al, 2005;Villa and Mahieu 1991;Wheatley 2008;Wieberg and Wescott 2008. 3: Berryman andHaun 1996;Jordana et al, 2013a. 4: Evans 1957Fleming-Farrell et al, 2013;Gurdjian and Lissner 1945;Jordana et al, 2013b. result from a concentration of energy sufficient to cause local failure to the bone and may be characterized as penetrating fractures with or without associated radial fractures(Fig.…”

Fatal cranial injury in an individual from Messina (Sicily) during the times of the Roman Empire

“…In any case, the timing of injuries can be determined in a probabilistic manner. 4 The lesion on the left parietal bone shows a pattern characteristic of a blunt force trauma, with radiating fracture lines from the point where the skull was struck. 59 The 3D CT reconstruction of the cranium reveals a smooth preponderant texture and a regular outline (Fig.…”

“…3 Indeed, when a trauma pattern has been observed in either forensic or archaeological settings, the following step would be to evaluate the timing of this injury and its possible association with the cause and manner of death. 4 The cranium is often subjected to weapon-related trauma and injury patterns can be very complicated and difficult to evaluate. Moreover, cranial trauma can be caused by daily activities, as well as by all sorts of accidents.…”