An evaluation of the differences in paediatric skeletal trauma between fatal simple short falls and physical abuse blunt impact loads: An international multicentre pilot study

• Published in: Forensic science international 2021-06, Vol.323, p.110788-110788, Article 110788
• Main Authors: Rowbotham, Samantha K., Blumenthal, Ryan, Delabarde, Tania, Legrand, Laurence, van der Walt, Elizabeth, Sutherland, Tom, Lockhat, Zarina, Arthurs, Owen J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomechanics; Blunt impact load; Caregivers; Computed tomography; Fatalities; Forensic anthropology; Forensic pathology; Forensic science; Forensic sciences; Fractures; Impact analysis; Impact loads; Injuries; Law enforcement; Load; Medical imaging; Paediatric skeletal trauma; Pediatrics; Physical abuse; Registry; Simple short fall; Skeleton; Skull; Trauma
• ISSN: 0379-0738; 1872-6283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110788

•Of forensic paediatric deaths, short falls comprised 0.1% and physical abuse 0.6%.•Pilot findings suggest possible differences between short falls and physical abuse.•Simple short falls resulted in simple linear neurocranial fractures.•Physical abuse resulted in linear or complex skull fractures and postcranial trauma.•Pilot data forms the foundation of the Registry of Paediatric Fatal Fractures (RPFF). In cases where a deceased child exhibits trauma as a result of a physical abuse blunt impact load, a parent/caregiver may provide a simple short fall (SSF) as the justification for that trauma. The skeletal fractures remain difficult to differentiate between a SSF and physical abuse however, as both are the result of a blunt impact load, and are therefore biomechanically alike, and the rare nature of these fatalities means only anecdotal research has been available to validate such claims. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate if there may be differences in the skeletal fracture patterns and types resulting from SSFs compared with those resulting from physical abuse blunt impacts. Paediatric (