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.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Anthropology