Distinguishing between perimortem and postmortem fractures: are
osteons of any help?

J 2011

Distinguishing between perimortem and postmortem fractures: are osteons of any help?

PECHNÍKOVÁ, Markéta, Davide PORTA and Cristina CATTANEO

Basic information

Original name

Distinguishing between perimortem and postmortem fractures: are osteons of any help?

Name in Czech

Rozlišení mezi perimortem a postmortem zlomeninami: mohou pomoci osteony?

Authors

PECHNÍKOVÁ, Markéta (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Davide PORTA (380 Italy) and Cristina CATTANEO (380 Italy, guarantor)

Edition

International journal of legal medicine, 2011, 0937-9827

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

60100 6.1 History and Archaeology

Country of publisher

Czech Republic

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

PubMed

Impact factor

Impact factor: 2.587

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14310/11:00054148

Organization unit

Faculty of Science

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00414-011-0570-9

UT WoS

000291663400016

Keywords in English

Forensic science; Forensic anthropology; Perimortem; Osteons; Fracture; Bone microstructure; Microscopy

Abstract

V originále

The distinction between perimortem and postmortem fractures in forensic anthropology is still a frequently unsolved issue. In the present study, we try to verify if there are differences in the pattern of osteon fracturing between fresh and dry bone which could be used for such a diagnosis. Fresh and dry long bones were fractured by a hammer at the mid-shaft perpendicularly to the long axis of the bone and the fracture margins examined under a light microscope as undecalcified sections. Examination of 982 osteons (505 fresh, 477 dry) showed that twice as often the fracture line crosses the osteons as opposed to travelling around them, independently of whether the bone is fresh or dry. Statistical analysis confirmed that there was no significant difference between fresh and dry bone. This seems to imply that osteon fracture pattern cannot help in the diagnosis of perimortem versus postmortem bone fractures. Further research however must be performed concerning fast and slow energy dispersal which may have an influence on the type of fracture inflicted.

Links

MSM0021622427, plan (intention)

Name: Interdisciplinární centrum výzkumů sociálních struktur pravěku až vrcholného středověku. Archeologický terénní a teoretický výzkum, využití přírodních věd, metodologie a informatika, ochrana kulturního dědictví

Investor: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the CR

Citovat

PECHNÍKOVÁ, Markéta, Davide PORTA and Cristina CATTANEO. Distinguishing between perimortem and postmortem fractures: are osteons of any help? International journal of legal medicine. 2011, 125/2011, No 4, p. 591-595. ISSN 0937-9827. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00414-011-0570-9.

@article{960065,
   author = {Pechníková, Markéta and Porta, Davide and Cattaneo, Cristina},
   article_number = {4},
   doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00414-011-0570-9},
   keywords = {Forensic science; Forensic anthropology; Perimortem; Osteons; Fracture; Bone microstructure; Microscopy},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {0937-9827},
   journal = {International journal of legal medicine},
   title = {Distinguishing between perimortem and postmortem fractures: are osteons of any help?},
   url = {http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21487677},
   volume = {125/2011},
   year = {2011}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 960065
AU  - Pechníková, Markéta - Porta, Davide - Cattaneo, Cristina
PY  - 2011
TI  - Distinguishing between perimortem and postmortem fractures: are osteons of any help?
JF  - International journal of legal medicine
VL  - 125/2011
IS  - 4
SP  - 591-595
EP  - 591-595
SN  - 09379827
KW  - Forensic science
KW  - Forensic anthropology
KW  - Perimortem
KW  - Osteons
KW  - Fracture
KW  - Bone microstructure
KW  - Microscopy
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21487677
N2  - The distinction between perimortem and postmortem fractures in forensic anthropology is still a frequently unsolved issue. In the present study, we try to verify if there are differences in the pattern of osteon fracturing between fresh and dry bone which could be used for such a diagnosis. Fresh and dry long bones were fractured by a hammer at the mid-shaft perpendicularly to the long axis of the bone and the fracture margins examined under a light microscope as undecalcified sections. Examination of 982 osteons (505 fresh, 477 dry) showed that twice as often the fracture line crosses the osteons as opposed to travelling around them, independently of whether the bone is fresh or dry. Statistical analysis confirmed that there was no significant difference between fresh and dry bone. This seems to imply that osteon fracture pattern cannot help in the diagnosis of perimortem versus postmortem bone fractures. Further research however must be performed concerning fast and slow energy dispersal which may have an influence on the type of fracture inflicted.
ER  -

PECHNÍKOVÁ, Markéta, Davide PORTA and Cristina CATTANEO. Distinguishing between perimortem and postmortem fractures: are osteons of any help? \textit{International journal of legal medicine}. 2011, 125/2011, No~4, p.~591-595. ISSN~0937-9827. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00414-011-0570-9.

Detailed Information on Publication Record