Animal-Related FatalitiesPart I: Characteristic Autopsy Findings and Variable Causes of Death Associated with Blunt and Sharp Trauma

• NCJ Number: 240833
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 57 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2012 Pages: 370-374
• Author(s): Danielle Bury, M.B., Ch.B.; Neil Langlois, M.D.; Roger W. Byard, M.D.
• Date Published: March 2012
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper discusses that animals may be responsible for an array of potentially lethal injuries.

Abstract

Animals may be responsible for an array of potentially lethal injuries. Blunt force injuries characteristically involve larger animals such as cattle or horses that may kick, crush, or trample a victim causing head and facial injuries. Farm workers in particular are at high risk of lethal injuries involving the head and torso. Significant blunt trauma may be found in vehicle occupants after collisions with large animals such as camels or moose. Rarely, zookeepers may be crushed by particularly massive animals such as elephants. Sharp force injuries usually involve carnivore bites, most often from dogs with a "hole and tear" pattern of wounding. Injuries from animals such as alligators and sharks may have a significant component of crushing. Incised wounds may result in death from exsanguination and air embolism. On occasion, blunt or sharp trauma from animal activity may be confused with postmortem damage or with inflicted injury from an assault. Abstract published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.