Discrimination of Falls and Blows in Blunt Head Trauma: A Multi-Criteria Approach

• NCJ Number: 230723
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 55 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2010 Pages: 423-427
• Author(s): Pierre Guyomarc'h, M.Sc.; Maude Campagna-Vaillancourt; Celia Kremer, M.Sc.; Anny Sauvageau, M.Sc., M.D.
• Date Published: March 2010
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The purpose of this 6-year retrospective study was to find additional individually useful criteria in the distinction of falls from blows.

Abstract

In the discrimination of falls versus blows, the hat brim line (HBL) rule is mentioned in several textbooks as the most useful single criterion. Recent studies, however, have found that the HBL rule is only moderately valid and that its use on its own is not recommended. Overall, the following criteria were found to point toward blows: more than three lacerations, laceration length of 7 cm or more, comminuted or depressed calvarial fractures, lacerations or fractures located above the HBL, left-side lateralization of lacerations or fractures, more than four facial contusions or lacerations, presence of ear lacerations, presence of facial fractures, and presence of postcranial osseous and/or visceral trauma. Based on the most discriminating criteria, a decision tree was constructed to be potentially applicable to future cases. Figures, tables, and references (Published Abstract)