An examination of blunt force trauma fracture patterns in stillborn pig crania

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine fracture patterns formed through the induction of blunt force trauma on stillborn pigs. The researcher will focus on the consistency of fracture pattern production for the purpose of identifying specific types of blunt force trauma which, create recognizable patterns characteristic of that form of trauma. The findings of this study offer potential implications for forensic anthropological examination of child abuse. A pig model is selected based on past research that infant pig characteristics are more in line with modern humans than other animal models. The main approach that will be used in this research is the reconstruction of fracture patterns and measurements which will be recorded to quantify the fractures produced in an effort to test for any consistency among the specimens. The findings of this research will impact those investigating potential cases of child abuse.