When the prey gets too big: an uncommon road accident involving a motorcyclist, a car and a bird

We present the postmortem findings of a fatal road accident involving a motorcyclist, a car, and a common buzzard. Both the motorcyclist and the bird died on the scene of the accident and were examined by postmortem full-body CT and autopsy. In addition, a facial injury of the motorcyclist was compa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of legal medicine 2016-03, Vol.130 (2), p.463-467
Main Authors: Tschui, J., Feddern, N., Schwendener, N., Campana, L., Utz, S., Schweizer, M., Jackowski, C., Zech, W. D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accidents, Traffic
Animals
Birds
Case Report
Facial Injuries - diagnostic imaging
Facial Injuries - pathology
Forensic Medicine
Forensic Pathology
Humans
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Male
Medical Law
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Motorcycles
Multiple Trauma
Young Adult
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Summary:We present the postmortem findings of a fatal road accident involving a motorcyclist, a car, and a common buzzard. Both the motorcyclist and the bird died on the scene of the accident and were examined by postmortem full-body CT and autopsy. In addition, a facial injury of the motorcyclist was compared with the dimensions of the buzzard’s beak and claws by 3D scan technologies. Blood splatters collected on the bird’s beak, feet, and tail were examined by DNA analysis. The overall findings suggested a collision of a common buzzard with a motorcyclist in full speed, causing the motorcyclist to lose control of his vehicle and crash with an approaching car on the oncoming lane.
ISSN:0937-9827
1437-1596
DOI:10.1007/s00414-015-1188-0