Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Blunt force trauma to the head is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in forensic cases, often resulting in skull fractures. The analysis of skull fracture patterns can provide valuable insights into the circumstances surrounding the traumatic event, aiding in the reconstruction of the incident and the identification of the weapon used. This retrospective study analyzed 100 forensic autopsy cases involving blunt force trauma to the head over a period of one year from January 2022 to January 2023.The study aimed to identify and characterize the types of skull fractures observed in relation to the circumstances surrounding the traumatic event, the weapon or object used, the location of impact and individual characteristics of the victims. Advanced imaging techniques, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), were employed to enhance the visualization and analysis of skull fractures. The majority of the victims were males (68%) and in the age group of 40‐59 years (42%). Assault was the most common type of blunt force trauma (45%), followed by falls (30%) and vehicular accidents (20%). Linear fractures were the most prevalent type (60%), followed by comminuted fractures (25%). Age and trauma type were significantly associated with skull fracture type (p=0.042) and location (p=0.021), respectively. Advanced imaging techniques demonstrated high concordance rates with autopsy findings, ranging from 90.0% to 100.0%. This study highlights the associations between demographic factors, trauma types and skull fracture patterns in blunt force trauma victims. The findings emphasize the importance of a comprehensive approach, combining conventional autopsy techniques with advanced imaging modalities, in the forensic investigation of these cases. Future research should focus on larger, prospective studies to validate these findings and explore the potential of emerging imaging technologies in forensic practice.
How to cite this article:
Navneet Deol, Guriqbal Singh and Abhay Raj Singh. Analysis of Skull Fracture Patterns in Blunt Force Trauma Victims: A Forensic Autopsy Study.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/10.36478/makrjms.2024.8.244.250
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/10.36478/makrjms.2024.8.244.250