Forensic medicine of the lower extremity : human identification and trauma analysis of the thigh, leg, and foot

The lower extremity is a tremendously variable anatomic region that can be used to establish individual identity, or, if damaged, can be used to reconstruct antemortem, perimortem, and postmortem trauma. In Forensic Medicine of the Lower Extremity: Human Identification and Trauma Analysis of the Thigh, Leg, and Foot, leading forensic authorities rigorously review both the scientific and practical aspects of human identification, trauma analysis, and biomechanics of lower extremity as encountered in decomposed or dismembered individuals, mass casualty situations, and human rights abuse investigations. On the scientific side, the authors describe the biochemical events of decomposition, detail the use of radiology to facilitate identification and evaluate trauma, and explain principles of osteology, with an emphasis on the implications for skeletal anatomy for age, sex, race, and height estimation. On the practical side, they apply these approaches to trauma analysis and accident reconstruction, including slip-and-fall incidents, impact, traffic, and pediatric injuries, and considerations of foot and footprint identification. Specific case studies discuss the identification process using the foot and ankle and illuminate the forensic potential of feet, footwear, and barefoot impression evidence. Authoritative and copiously illustrated, Forensic Medicine of the Lower Extremity: Human Identification and Trauma Analysis of the Thigh, Leg, and Foot comprehensively reviews the basic process of forensic identification, trauma investigation, and accident reconstruction of the lower extremity. Publius Syrus stated back in 42 B.C., “You cannot put the same shoe on every foot.” (Maxim 596) Though written long before the advent of forensic science, Syrus’ maxim summarizes the theme of Forensic Medicine of the Lower Extremity: Human Identification and Trauma Analysis of the Thigh, Leg, and Foot. Put simply, the lower extremity is a tremendously variable anatomic region. This variation is beneficial to forensic experts. Differences in the leg and foot can be used to establish individual identity. Analysis of damage to the lower limb can be used to reconstruct antemortem, perimortem, and postmortem trauma. As a forensic anthropologist, I analyze cases involving decomposed, burned, m- mified, mutilated, and skeletal remains. Many of the corpses I examine are incomplete. Occasionally, I receive nothing but the legs and feet; a lower torso dragged from a river; a foot recovered in a city park; dismembered drug dealers in plastic bags; victims of bombings and airline disasters; and the dead commingled in common graves. Though the leg and foot contain much that is useful in forensic analysis, before this publication, investigators faced a twofold problem. Little research that focused on the lower extremity was available in the literature, and the existing research was published in diverse sources, making its location and synthesis a daunting task.

This medical text discusses two aspects of forensics related to the human thigh, leg, and foot: the facilitation of identification in cases of decomposed, mutilated, incinerated and/or fragmented human remains, as well as trauma analysis in the contexts of accident reconstruction and biomechanics. Fourteen chapters presented by Rich (Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School), Dean (Summit County Office of the Medical Examiner, Ohio), and Powers (Controlled Substances/Toxicology Laboratory, Connecticut Department of Public Safety) first cover the scientific background for understanding the later presentation of applications, discussing biochemical decomposition, human development, skeletal variations, and forensic radiology. They then examine ante- and postmortem processes that can produce identifiable markers and remains and consider the physics of skeletal trauma. Case studies of the foot and ankle and discussion of recent research into barefoot impression evidence conclude the volume. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Front Matter....Pages i-xiii Front Matter....Pages 1-1 The Decomposition of Human Remains....Pages 3-15 Forensically Significant Skeletal Anatomy....Pages 17-31 Normal Osteology of the Knee Joint and Markers of Stress and Injury....Pages 33-68 Anthropological Analysis of the Lower Extremity....Pages 69-98 Estimating Age at Death....Pages 99-112 Radiology of the Lower Extremity....Pages 113-237 Front Matter....Pages 239-239 Injuries to Children....Pages 241-252 Skeletal Trauma Analysis of the Lower Extremity....Pages 253-277 Biomechanics of Impact Injury....Pages 279-310 Injuries of the Thigh, Knee, and Ankle as Reconstructive Factors in Road Traffic Accidents....Pages 311-342 Biomechanical Analysis of Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents....Pages 343-355 Front Matter....Pages 357-357 “The Game is Afoot!”....Pages 359-374 The Role of Feet and Footwear in Medicolegal Investigations....Pages 375-400 Ongoing Research Into Barefoot Impression Evidence....Pages 401-413 Back Matter....Pages 415-421 This comprehensive collection of rigorous review articles covers both the scientific and practical aspects of using of lower extremity remains for human identification and trauma analysis. On the scientific side, the authors describe the biochemical events of decomposition, detail the use of radiology to facilitate identification and evaluate trauma, and explain principles of osteology, with an emphasis on the implications for skeletal anatomy for age, sex, race, and height estimation. On the practical side, they apply these approaches to trauma analysis and accident reconstruction, including