The Role of Interface Shape on the Impact Characteristics and Cranial Fracture Patterns Using the Immature Porcine Head Model, ,

The forensic literature suggests that when adolescents fall onto edged and pointed surfaces, depressed fractures can occur at low energy levels. This study documents impact biomechanics and fracture characteristics of infant porcine skulls dropped onto flat, curved, edged, and focal surfaces. Results showed that the energy needed for fracture initiation was nearly four times higher against a flat surface than against the other surfaces. While characteristic measures of fracture such as number and length of fractures did not vary with impact surface shape, the fracture patterns did depend on impact surface shape. While experimental impacts against the flat surface produced linear fractures initiating at sutural boundaries peripheral to the point of impact (POI), more focal impacts produced depressed fractures initiating at the POI. The study supported case‐based forensic literature suggesting cranial fracture patterns depend on impact surface shape and that fracture initiation energy is lower for more focal impacts.     

81例外伤性鼻部骨折的特点及其法医学鉴定分析

研究鼻部损伤后骨折的特点、确诊的方法及法医学鉴定的相关问题。 81例以鼻部外伤为主诉 ,经鼻骨拍摄X线侧位片 ( 62例加做鼻部CT扫描 )检见有鼻骨骨折的患者 ,进行法医临床学鉴定分析。单纯性线性骨折 19例 ,骨折移位者 11例 ,粉碎性、多发性骨折 4 0例 ,鼻骨骨折伴上颌骨额突骨折或 (及 )伴眶骨骨折 11例 ;轻伤 58例 ( 72 % ) ,未构成轻伤 2 3例 ( 2 8% )。多数鼻骨骨折为粉碎性、多发性 ,且可伴有其它部位骨折。鼻骨X线侧位片只能明确部分粉碎性骨折及部分移位明显的骨折 ,CT扫描能确定鼻部骨折形态。     

用MSCT沿鼻骨斜面多平面重组技术鉴定鼻骨线性骨折

目的探讨多层螺旋CT(MSCT)沿鼻骨斜面多平面重组(MPR)技术在鼻骨线性骨折法医学鉴定中的应用价值。方法以MSCT轴位平扫和沿鼻骨斜面多平面重组(MPR),对98例头面部外伤患者进行检查。结果 MSCT轴位平扫诊断:鼻骨正常和线性骨折(单侧或双侧)分别为29例和69例,阳性率70.4%。MSCT沿鼻骨斜面多平面重组(MPR)复诊:鼻骨正常的和线性骨折分别为19例和79例,阳性率80.6%。结论采用MSCT沿鼻骨斜面多平面重组技术可发现常规MSCT轴位平扫未能检见的鼻骨线性骨折,对法医学鉴定具有更高的应用价值。     

The Self-salvation of Capitalist Society——Giddens' Criticism of Historical Materialism and the Third Way

Giddens fully absorbs the Marx's capitalism critical theory of capital criticism as the core by including Marx in historical framework of late modernity. Based on fracture of modernity, Giddens criticizes historical materialism and develops structural theory of understanding of the developed capitalist society. Thereby, Giddens shows the current status of modernity: pluralistic structure and high risk of society dominated by the forces of globalization. According to the principle, Giddens proposes “the third way” as self-salvation of capitalist society: adhere to the ideals of socialism, beyond the traditional opposition of government and market, making full use of the balance between state and market to build a society of positive welfare. Laying aside political label of “the third way”, the exploration of the balance between government and market is of great practical significance for China to promote the balance between government and market, and to manage the challenge of globalization. However, the position of Postmodernism indicates that Giddens criticism of Marx's historical materialism is a failure undoubtedly.     

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

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.     

Machinery‐Related Deaths: Relevance of Workplace Investigation and Antemortem Radiological Data in Reconstructing the Fatality

Abstract: Machinery‐related fatalities are one of the leading causes of traumatic occupational deaths. In our report, we present the case of a 40‐year‐old male who suffered a severe head trauma while working in a cut‐foam industry and died despite an early craniectomy. The radiological reconstruction of the skull based on preoperative computed tomography scans disclosed a large depressed conical fracture of the left parietal bone. The 3D‐reconstruction of the work area, combined with a fit‐matching analysis between the machinery and the depressed skull fracture allowed us to conclude that the head was crushed between the sliding bar of the cutting device and the metallic protuberance on the opposite side. The case underlines the importance of a detailed workplace investigation and of a thorough evaluation of all circumstantial, clinical, radiological, and autopsy data in the reconstruction of machinery‐related fatalities to identify any possible legal responsibilities of the worker and/or the employer.     

Interpreting Injury Mechanisms of Blunt Force Trauma from Butterfly Fracture Formation

According to biomechanics of fracture production during blunt impact, tubular bones are subject to compressive (impact site) and tensile (opposite impact site) forces; this causes bones to break in tension before compression, producing Y-shaped fracture patterns with breakaway (butterfly) fragments. In current forensic models, the side of the bone exhibiting the breakaway fragment is designated the impact side, with initial breakage occurring opposite. Fracture production and patterning of blunt impacts to 255 sheep femora were analyzed. Contra the existing model, only 60% of complete butterfly fractures exhibited impact side breakaway fragments. Although fractures initiated on the tension, nonimpact side, butterfly fragments formed on either compression or tension sides. Using newly defined breakaway fragment shape criteria, impact side was estimated with 98% accuracy for both complete and partial butterfly fractures. Furthermore, the results suggest that the impact site is the located on one of the Y-fracture's arms, not the butterfly fragment's center, as previously modeled.     

Comamonas testosteroni meningitis in a homeless man

We report a case of meningitis caused by Comamonas testosteroni in a 54-year-old, alcoholic, homeless man. He, as a pedestrian, was struck by a car and suffered multiple fractures of the facial bones including the left frontal sinus. Over the course of 2-week hospitalization, he was clinically diagnosed with multiple cerebral and cerebellar infarcts resulting in altered mental status. He was pronounced dead 15 days after the injury. At the time of autopsy, diffuse purulent meningitis was found on gross examination. A swab culture of the brain surface was positive for C. Testosteroni, a saprophytic organism commonly found in soil and water. This is the first reported case of fatal meningitis caused by this micro-organism.     

70例对冲性颅底骨折分析

作者对70例头部损伤引起的对冲性颅底骨折进行了分析.认为在骨质菲薄部位,如眶板、筛板及蝶骨翼等处出现孤立性线状或粉碎性骨折,系由于头部受钝性暴力作用,于着力点的对侧被眼球或脑的加速运动撞击造成;在对冲性颅底骨折的相应部位的脑组织出现严重的对冲性脑挫伤,系由于该部脑组织加速运动撞击形成;二者是相互作用的结果.其它部位的对冲性颅底骨折主要是由于颅底部突出部分的反作用力造成.     

A validation study for vinyl electrical tape end matches

Fracture matches are considered the strongest conclusion in the forensic examination of rigid materials, such as glass, metal, and paint. However, publications that support the fracture matching of polymeric films, such as tape backings, are limited. This study was designed to determine the validity and error rate associated with conducting end-match (fracture match) examinations on vinyl electrical tape. Test designs varied the source roll of tape, test preparer, or mode of separation from the roll. Results indicated that each affected the resulting severed tape ends. The analysts examining the end matches also had an effect on the results. Eight end matches in the study were not identified by the initial analysts and were considered inconclusive. One end match was misidentified, resulting in one false positive and an error rate of 0.049%. These results support a comprehensive physical and chemical tape comparison regardless of indications of an end match.