Types of Trauma Observed on Skeletal Remains

Unique physical characteristics of diseases and markings can help identify a decedent's skeletal remains. Healed fractures replacement hardware, medical implants and hardware such as the presence of metal plates and screws, dentures with a special defect, glass eyes, pacemaker, prosthetic limbs, and unusual anatomy are all great indicators for identification.

Types of indicators on skeletal remains

When a Forensic Anthropologist is examining remains, it is very important to note any remarkable or unusual physical characteristics. The bones sometimes harbor clues to the cause and manner of death. It is important to note that bone is a very special connective tissue in the body. Its rigidity gives the body support and characteristic shape. Bones are composed mainly of calcium salts and make up most of the skeleton in vertebrates. Because bones are hard and quite durable, significant trauma can be inflicted upon them and remain long after death. Skeletal remains can be examined for signs of fractures, blunt force trauma, sharp force trauma, and projectile trauma. Bones can also be examined to determine whether those injuries may have been inflicted before death, at death or after death. These various types of trauma can give Forensic Anthropologists important insight into what may have happened to the decedent. Fractures, or a break in the continuity of the bone, are common occurrences. While they are most often sustained in accidents, they can also indicate that a person was attacked or struck with a specific object. Forensic Anthropologists closely examine all fractures to glean as much information as possible from the clues which may lie hidden in them. 1) Compression- Caused by a force that pushes downward on the bone. There are many lines of the fracture and they are widespread. These types of fractures are commonly found in the skull or spine 2) Shearing- When a bending type force is applied to the bone, it will shear off in a path parallel to the fracture. These fractures are somewhat common and are usually caused by accidents holding the hand out to brace for a fall rather than homicide. A shearing fracture can also be caused by a sharp instrument such as a saw. 3) Bending- The most common type of fracture, it is caused by a force striking the bone at a right angle. It usually results in a complete break in adults and a greenstick fracture in children. A greenstick fracture is when one side of a bone is broken and the other is bent. It is most commonly seen in children. Parry fractures are caused by a bending force in the ulnar bone of the arm. It can be caused by a person holding up their arms to ward off being hit by an attacker and is often seen in deaths resulting from a violent struggle. Parry fractures are the most common type of bending fracture seen in homicide or assault cases. 4) Torsion- These types of fractures are caused by a twisting force on a bone. These are most commonly seen in accidents, but are also seen in cases of child abuse. The fracture occurs when one end of the bone is held immobile while the other end is twisted. 5) Tension- These fractures are caused by a pulling force on a bone. In most cases a force pulling on a bone will only cause a dislocation of the joint, but in cases where a large force is pulling on a bone, a tension fracture can occur. This is usually seen in accidents as opposed to homicides.

Other Types of Skeletal Traumas

Sharp force trauma occurs when a narrow or pointed object strikes the bone, such as with stabs or slashes. This type of trauma leaves cut marks on the bone from the sharp object. Blunt force trauma results from a large object hitting a large area of the body. Blunt force trauma is evident on bones as crushed or shattered areas of the bone. A skull crushed from a blow to the head or a car accident in which the left half of the body is crushed are examples of blunt force trauma. Projectile trauma results from an object moving at a high rate of speed and applying force over a small area of the body such as with bullets or arrows. The direction of travel can sometimes be determined by examining the bone. Often, the projectile is found in the body or nearby.

Ante, Peri, and Post Mortem Trauma Indicators

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