Fatal falls from standing height - analysis of skull fracture patterns in autopsy materials from the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Kraków.

Abstract

The aim of the study: Falls from standing height are understood as incidents where a person in an upright or nearly upright position collapses, striking a hard surface. The aim of the study was to verify the hypothesis that skull fractures resulting from such events typically manifest as a single crack, while the presence of other types of fractures may indicate a different injury mechanism than a simple fall.

Material and methods: Autopsy reports from a 10-year period (2000-2009) from the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Kraków were analyzed. The study included 272 cases that met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected regarding the injury mechanism, place of death, and sustained injuries, with a particular focus on the presence and pattern of skull fractures.

Results: Among 272 cases of fatal falls from standing height, 181 (66.54%) exhibited skull fractures in the autopsy examination. Within the analyzed group, 91.71% were male, and an interesting age disparity emerged between genders: an average age of 53.1 years for men and 70.6 years for women. Simple fractures (single, non-branching) were the most common category, accounting for 64.85% of cases. Additionally, branching fractures were observed in 15.38%, multiple fractures in 15.93%, and comminuted fractures in 3.84%.

Conclusions: In two-thirds of analyzed cases of fatal intracranial injuries resulting from falls from standing height, skull fractures were present. Skull fractures caused by such incidents are most commonly single and linear, though complex fractures are occasionally observed. The most frequent locations of fractures resulting from falls from standing height include the posterior cranial fossa and the cranial vault.