@article{ref1,
title="Discrimination of Falls and Blows in Blunt Head Trauma: Assessment of Predictability Through Combined Criteria",
journal="Journal of forensic sciences",
year="2009",
author="Kremer, Celia and Sauvageau, Anny",
volume="54",
number="4",
pages="923-926",
abstract="The discrimination of falls from homicidal blows in blunt head injuries is a common but difficult problem in both forensic anthropology and pathology. Three criteria have been previously proposed for this distinction: the hat brim line rule, side lateralization of fractures, and number of lacerations. The aim of the present study was to achieve a better distinction rate by combining those criteria and assess the predictability of these combined criteria tools. Over a 6-year period, a total of 114 cases (92 males and 22 females) were studied: 21 cases of downstairs falls, 29 cases of falls from one's own height, and 64 cases of head trauma by a blunt weapon. The results revealed predictability rates varying from 62.5 to 83.3% for criteria pointing towards a fall. As for combined criteria in favor of a blow, the assumption was accurate in all cases (100%).<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0022-1198",
doi="10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01072.x",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01072.x"
}