Microcracking pattern in fractured bones : new approach for distinguishing between peri- and postmortem fractures
Winter-Buchwalder, Michelle (Institut de Medicina Legal i Ciències Forenses de Catalunya)
Schwab, Nathalie (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
Galtés, Ignasi (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Psiquiatria i de Medicina Legal)
Ortega-Sánchez, Marisa (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Psiquiatria i de Medicina Legal)
Scheirs, Sarah (Institut de Medicina Legal i Ciències Forenses de Catalunya)
Jordana Comín, Xavier (Universitat de Vic)

Data:	2022
Resum:	Timing bone fractures is one of the main tasks of a forensic anthropologist, but still an uncertain diagnostic. In the literature, there are many macroscopic methods to distinguish perimortem from postmortem fractures, based on the distinct structural and mechanical properties of fresh and dry bones. However, this differentiation is still challenging, in particular when the bones are fragmented or still exhibit fresh properties. Although histologic analysis is often used as a complementary diagnostic tool in forensic pathology, its application in the evaluation of bone fractures is uncommon. The aim of this study was to investigate whether fractures of fresh bones reveal a distinct microcracking pattern compared to fractures of dry bones, in order to optimise the fracture timing. To this purpose, we histologically analysed perimortem and postmortem fractures in human humeri. The fresh bones were retrieved from traumatic autopsy cases, and the dry bones from donors which were experimentally fractured. Our results showed that the highest density and length of microcracks (MCKs) were found in the interstitial area of dry fractured bones, which may be considered a marker of postmortem damage. In fresh fractured bones, we generally observed a lower density of MCKs, but a higher proportion of osteonal MCKs, which may be considered a marker of perimortem trauma. In summary, the results of our exploratory study suggest that changes in intrinsic bone factors (mineral/organic components) result in a different microcracking pattern that can be used in fracture timing.
Ajuts:	Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca 2017/SGR-1630 Agencia Estatal de Investigación PID2021-124112NB-100
Drets:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Llengua:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Matèria:	Blunt force trauma ; Fracture timing ; Bone histology ; Forensic anthropology
Publicat a:	International journal of legal medicine, Vol. 138 (september 2022) , p. 35-42, ISSN 1437-1596

DOI: 10.1007/s00414-022-02875-1
PMID: 36066767

8 p, 1.3 MB

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