eISSN: 1689-1716
ISSN: 0324-8267
Archiwum Medycyny Sądowej i Kryminologii/Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology
Current issue Archive Manuscripts accepted About the journal Supplements Editorial board Reviewers Abstracting and indexing Subscription Contact Instructions for authors Ethical standards and procedures
SCImago Journal & Country Rank
3/2019
vol. 69
 
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abstract:
Original paper

Differentiation between suicidal and accidental falls from height using the method proposed by Teh et al.

Tomasz Cywka
1
,
Anna Milaszkiewicz
1
,
Grzegorz Teresiński
1

  1. Katedra i Zakład Medycyny Sądowej, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Lublinie, Polska
Arch Med Sadowej Kryminol 2019; 69 (3): 100–107
Online publish date: 2020/04/08
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One of the main problems encountered in medico-legal assessment of injuries suffered as a result of falling from a height is the discrimination between the effects of accidental and suicidal falls. The aim of the study was to verify the prevalence of injuries involving different regions of the osteoarticular system in groups of victims of attempted suicide and fatal accidents according to the method proposed by Teh et al. The study material consisted of the findings of extended post-mortem examinations of 114 victims of falls from a height, which were conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine in Lublin. The post-mortem results were compared with the data found in corresponding prosecutorial case files. The results of the study indicate a higher prevalence of osteoarticular injuries within the pelvis and lower limbs in the group of suicide victims, which correlates with the results reported by Teh et al. An analysis of injuries in different body regions in accordance with the reported method can be useful in determining the circumstances of falling from a height.
keywords:

suicide, falls from height, height of fall, fatal accidents, accidental fall, Teh’s method

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