title: Death as a Consequence of a Hip Fracture After a Fall; to Be Further Investigated?
abstract: Although it is not often thought of, elderly abuse is a frequently occurring phenomenon. Especially when an older patient dies, maltreatment is low on the list of possible causes of death. There are, however, signs that may point in the direction of abuse. These can either be on the patient's body, in the surroundings, or within the story as to how the patient died. Attention should be paid to these often subtle signs, and autopsies need to be performed more frequently to establish the exact cause of death.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Annelieke Mk
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Harmsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Public Health Service, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Udo Jl
authors.initials: UJ
authors.lastname: Reijnders
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Georgios F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Giannakopoulos
keywords: Abuse; Intentional Asphyxia; Missed Injuries; Trauma Patients