ASSESSMENT OF BONE INJURIES

• Jurisdiction: Australia

[35.610] In Australia assessment of bone injuries is normally done by both the forensic pathologist and anthropologist. As well as examining the possible homicide or suicide, anthropologists are involved in collecting evidence from war crimes, human rights abuses and armed conflict (Kimmerle and Baraybar, 2008). Stewart (1979, p 76) defines the role of the forensic anthropologist relative to skeletal trauma as being to:

describe any evidence of bone damage, point out its location in relation to vital centres, explain the possibility of its having been sustained at the time of death or otherwise, and discuss the likely types of objects that produced the damage.

The forensic anthropologist must therefore carefully examine every recovered bone or bone fragment, both macroscopically and under "x 10" magnification, to try to identify the presence of bone injuries. When dealing with a decomposed body it is useful to macerate the body in order to get a clear view of the bones. The body/skeleton should also be x-rayed and any clothing examined. Reconstruction of bones with glue may be necessary.

Injuries may be of many different types, including fractures, nicks or cuts, scratches or abrasions, erosions, gouges, punctures...