The potential and limitations of utilising head impact injury models to assess the likelihood of significant head injury in infants after a fall.
The use of engineering principles in assessing head injury scenarios is of increasing significance in investigations into suspected child abuse. A fall scenario is often given as the history for a head injury to an infant. This paper addresses the basic engineering principles and factors to be considered when calculating the severity of a head impact after free-fall. The application of head injury models (HIMs) to ascertain the forces involved in childhood head injuries from impact is also discussed. Previous studies including Duhaime et al. [J. Neurosurg. 66 (1987) 409] and Nokes et al. [Forensic Sci. Int. 79 (1995) 85] have utilised HIMs for this purpose: this paper reviews those models most widely documented.The HIM currently considered the 'state-of-the-art' is the head injury criterion (HIC) and it is suggested that this model should be utilised for assessing head impact injury in child abuse cases where appropriate.
Cory
C Z
CZ
Medical Engineering Research Unit, ENGIN, University of Wales Cardiff, P.O. Box 685, Cardiff, Wales, UK. cory@cardiff.ac.uk
Jones
M D
MD
James
D S
DS
Leadbeatter
S
S
Nokes
L D
LD
D000054:Acceleration; D000058:Accidental Falls; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008954:Models, Biological