Verification of usefulness of the method for determining the height of fatal falls proposed by Lau et al.

The present report is a follow-up to our previous studies on the determination of the height of fatal falls, and it is focused on the verification of the method developed by Lau et al. The study group was extended to a total of 109 individuals, and the height of fall of each victim was calculated using the mathematical formula put forward by Lau et al. The heights of falls calculated with the formula referred to above were significantly different (in 72.5% of cases) from the actual heights, which points to limited reliability of the method under evaluation.

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

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.

An analysis of the relationship between bodily injury severity and fall height in victims of fatal falls from height.

Aim of the study: One of the basic issues discussed in forensic literature regarding falls from a height is determination of fall heights and differentiation between suicidal and accidental falls. The aim of the study was to verify the usefulness of the available methods for the purposes of forensic expertises. Material and methods: The study encompassed fatalities of falls from a height whose autopsies were performed in the Department of Forensic Medicine in Lublin. Results: Similarly to other authors, the severity of injuries was assessed using the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) and injury severity score (ISS). The study findings demonstrated a statistically significant correlation between the fall height and the severity of injuries according to ISS and a statistically significant difference in fall heights between the groups of accidents and suicides.

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

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.