A novel approach to forensic investigation: three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic motion analysis.
Following a domestic incident, a five-year-old child was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital. The subsequent post-mortem examination found that the cause of death was peritonitis as a result of a rupture of the duodenum. During the police interview, the main suspect alleged that the injury occurred whilst playing a game which involved standing on the child's abdomen and chest. A reconstruction of the game was performed using 3-dimensional kinematic and kinetic motion analysis to investigate the feasibility of the statement as described by the defendant. Presented is a summary of the investigation together with a description of kinematic and kinetic methods employed.
O'Callaghan
P T
PT
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Jones
M D
MD
Holt
C A
CA
Leadbeatter
S
S
Dent
C
C
Nokes
L D
LD