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Skeletal Trauma Analysis of the Lower Extremity

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Forensic Medicine of the Lower Extremity

Part of the book series: Forensic Science and Medicine ((FSM))

Abstract

This chapter reviews the methods of forensic anthropological analysis in skeletal damage to the lower extremity and serves as an introduction for later chapters discussing the underlying physics and methodology used in engineering accident reconstruction. The discussion herein includes the interpretation of the mechanism of injury and the types of defects seen most commonly within forensic contexts. No such discussion can be comprehensive and each case must be assessed separately. Consistency with known patterns of damage can be stated, but in the majority of cases, the exact cause of injury cannot be determined. Analysis of lower extremity skeletal trauma requires an understanding of the movement patterns in which these bones have evolved, the capacity of the joints to absorb forces, the effects of forces beyond the capacity of bones and joints to withstand, and the resultant fracture patterns produced by excessive force.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anthropology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA

    Alison Galloway PhD, DABFA & Lauren Zephro MA

  2. Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, Monterey, CA

    Lauren Zephro MA

Authors
  1. Alison Galloway PhD, DABFA
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  2. Lauren Zephro MA
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

    Jeremy Rich DPM (Research Fellow in Medicine) (Research Fellow in Medicine)

  2. Office of the Medical Examiner, County of Summit, Akron, OH

    Dorothy E. Dean MD

  3. Division of Scientific Services, Controlled Substances/Toxicology Laboratory, Connecticut Department of Public Safety, Hartford, CT

    Robert H. Powers PhD

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© 2005 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Galloway, A., Zephro, L. (2005). Skeletal Trauma Analysis of the Lower Extremity. In: Rich, J., Dean, D.E., Powers, R.H. (eds) Forensic Medicine of the Lower Extremity. Forensic Science and Medicine. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-897-8:253

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-897-8:253

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-269-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-897-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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