Journal Published Online: 01 March 1997
Volume 42, Issue 2

Skeletal Evidence for Child Abuse: A Physical Anthropological Perspective

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Analysis of the skeletal remains of abused children can prove challenging for forensic pathologists and radiographers who are inexperienced in the direct examination of bones. In such cases, radiographically invisible skeletal lesions that document a history of trauma can often be identified by a physical anthropologist with appropriate osteological experience. This is illustrated by cases in which skeletal remains of four murdered children and a mentally handicapped adult produced evidence of antemortem trauma and perimortem injuries that was critical in developing murder cases against the assailants. In these cases, well-healed areas of subperiosteal new bone formation were identified that were below the threshold of radiographic detection. Such injuries provide strong evidence for a history of physical abuse.

Author Information

Walker, PL
University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cook, DC
Indiana University, Bloomington
Lambert, PM
Social Work and Anthropology, Utah State University, Logan
Pages: 12
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS14098J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14098J