Citation

Solarino B, Reckentwald K, Burrows-Beckham AM. J. Forensic Sci. 2008; 53(5): 1188-1190.

Affiliation

Section of Legal Medicine (DI.M.I.M.P.), University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00820.x

PMID

18637866

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children suspected of child abuse. Penetrating cranio-facial injuries are generally rare in the pediatric age group and are caused by both accidental and inflicted mechanisms. We report an unusual case of a 2-year-old female who was admitted to a pediatric emergency room with an industrial stainless steel coat hanger impaled in her skull. Pertinent clinical forensic medicine examination, coupled with home inspection and interviews by the local law enforcement, revealed a horrible episode of domestic violence.

Language: en