TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2012//
TI  - Bilateral fractures of transverse processus: A diagnostic sign of overrun?
JO  - Forensic science international
A1  - Martos, V.
A1  - Jackowski, C.
SP  - 244
EP  - 247
VL  - 219
IS  - 1-3
N2  - Injuries caused by traffic accidents can be complex and extensive. Due to the highly dynamic course of actions, reconstructive questions may be challenging to investigators. Differentiation of a single collision from an overrun is a central question. We hypothesized that the existence of spine fractures such as spinous and transverse processus fractures may be helpful to distinguish both. The postmortem CT-data of pedestrian fatalities were analyzed in a retrospective manner. A group finally assessed as being overrun (n=13; 7m, 6 f, 18-86y, mean 65y) and a control group being hit but not overrun (n=11; 7m, 4 f, 31-89y, mean 61y) were compared. Secondarily, the CT results were compared to the localization of fractures detected in routine autopsy. Cases in the overrun group showed 1-31 fractures of processus (mean 14.6) and 9 cases presented with bilateral fractures of partly opposite transverse processus. In the control group there were 6 cases without any fractures and 5 cases showed 1-9 injuries (mean 1.7). There were no bilateral fractures of transverse processus in the control group. Autopsy only detected fractures of spinous processus in 4 cases from the overrun group. Bilateral fractures of transverse processus are a possible sign for an overrun. Unilateral fractures of the transverse processus are not specific. Post-mortem CT is more sensitive for the evaluation of vertebral processus than conventional autopsy.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0379-0738
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.01.013
ID  - ref1
ER  -