title: Discrimination of falls and blows in blunt head trauma: assessment of predictability through combined criteria.
abstract: The discrimination of falls from homicidal blows in blunt head injuries is a common but difficult problem in both forensic anthropology and pathology. Three criteria have been previously proposed for this distinction: the hat brim line rule, side lateralization of fractures, and number of lacerations. The aim of the present study was to achieve a better distinction rate by combining those criteria and assess the predictability of these combined criteria tools. Over a 6-year period, a total of 114 cases (92 males and 22 females) were studied: 21 cases of downstairs falls, 29 cases of falls from one's own height, and 64 cases of head trauma by a blunt weapon. The results revealed predictability rates varying from 62.5 to 83.3% for criteria pointing towards a fall. As for combined criteria in favor of a blow, the assumption was accurate in all cases (100%).
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale, Edifice Wilfrid-Derome, 1701, rue Parthenais, 12 étage, Montreal, QC H2K 3S7, Canada.
authors.forename: Célia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kremer
authors.forename: Anny
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sauvageau
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods; D049429:Forensic Pathology / Q000379:methods; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000473:pathology*; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000473:pathology*