The distinction between perimortem and postmortem fractures is an important challenge for forensic anthropology. Such a crucial task is presently based on macro-morphological criteria widely accepted in the scientific community. However, several limits affect these parameters which have not yet been investigated thoroughly. This study aims at highlighting the pitfalls and errors in evaluating perimortem or postmortem fractures. Two trained forensic anthropologists were asked to classify 210 fractures of known origin in four skeletons (three victims of blunt force trauma and one natural death) as perimortem, postmortem, or dubious, twice in 6 months in order to assess intraobserver error also. Results show large errors, ranging from 14.8 to 37% for perimortem fractures and from 5.5 to 14.8% for postmortem ones; more than 80% of errors concerned trabecular bone. This supports the need for more objective and reliable criteria for a correct assessment of peri- and postmortem bone fractures.

The difficult task of assessing perimortem and postmortem fractures on the skeleton: a blind text on 210 fractures of known origin / A. Cappella, A. Amadasi, E. Castoldi, D. Mazzarelli, D. Gaudio, C. Cattaneo. - In: JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES. - ISSN 0022-1198. - 59:6(2014), pp. 1598-1601. ((Intervento presentato al 65. convegno American Academy of Forensic Sciences tenutosi a Washington nel 2013 [10.1111/1556-4029.12539].

The difficult task of assessing perimortem and postmortem fractures on the skeleton: a blind text on 210 fractures of known origin

A. Cappella
Primo
;
A. Amadasi
Secondo
;
E. Castoldi;D. Gaudio
Penultimo
;
C. Cattaneo
Ultimo
2014

Abstract

The distinction between perimortem and postmortem fractures is an important challenge for forensic anthropology. Such a crucial task is presently based on macro-morphological criteria widely accepted in the scientific community. However, several limits affect these parameters which have not yet been investigated thoroughly. This study aims at highlighting the pitfalls and errors in evaluating perimortem or postmortem fractures. Two trained forensic anthropologists were asked to classify 210 fractures of known origin in four skeletons (three victims of blunt force trauma and one natural death) as perimortem, postmortem, or dubious, twice in 6 months in order to assess intraobserver error also. Results show large errors, ranging from 14.8 to 37% for perimortem fractures and from 5.5 to 14.8% for postmortem ones; more than 80% of errors concerned trabecular bone. This supports the need for more objective and reliable criteria for a correct assessment of peri- and postmortem bone fractures.
forensic science; forensic anthropology; blunt force trauma; perimortem; postmortem; bone fracture; taphonomy
Settore MED/43 - Medicina Legale
2014
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/237146
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