Differentiation of Perimortem and Postmortem Trauma Using Taphonomic Indicators
- 1 May 1995
- journal article
- case report
- Published by ASTM International in Journal of Forensic Sciences
- Vol. 40 (3) , 509-512
- https://doi.org/10.1520/jfs13818j
Abstract
Skeletal remains discovered at a construction site in Georgia display classic “butterfly” fractures on several long bones. Although this fracture pattern is usually associated with perimortem trauma, in this case taphonomic indicators demonstrate that they can also occur on dry defleshed bone. Variations in bone color at the fracture sites indicate recent postmortem trauma. Analysis of the directions of force and points of impact indicates that the bones were most likely disarticulated when the trauma occurred.Keywords
This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- Human Osteology: Key to the Sequence of Events in a Postmortem ShootingJournal of Forensic Sciences, 1992