eISSN: 1689-1716
ISSN: 0324-8267
Archiwum Medycyny Sądowej i Kryminologii/Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology
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3/2016
vol. 66
 
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abstract:
Original paper

Evaluation of possibilities of differentiating the causes of fatal falls from a height using the Berghaus scale

Grzegorz Teresiński
1
,
Tomasz Cywka
1
,
Anna Milaszkiewicz
1

  1. Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University in Lublin, Poland
Arch Med Sąd Kryminol 2016; 66 (3): 141-148
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/amsik.2016.66398
Online publish date: 2017/03/15
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Aim of the study: In Poland, approximately several hundred of individuals die due to falls from a height annually; in some cases, it is difficult to determine explicitly whether the fall was caused by an accident or suicidal attempt. The aim of the study was to verify the usefulness of the 14-point Berghaus scale for differentiation of fatal falls from a height resulting from accidents or suicides.

Material and methods: The study material included the results of post-mortem examinations of 41 fatalities of falls from a height performed in the Department of Forensic Medicine in Lublin, which were confronted with the data from the records of prosecutor’s proceedings.

Conclusions: The analysis of materials confirmed high usefulness of the Berghaus score criteria to conclude whether the fall was accidental or resulted from suicide.
keywords:

fall from a height, suicide, accident, Berghaus scale
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