ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 5

Keyhole Defect Production in Tubular Bone
Berryman, HE
Regional Forensic Center, University of Tennessee, Memphis,

Gunther, WM
Regional Forensic Center, University of Tennessee, Memphis,

(Received 18 May 1999; accepted 7 June 1999)

Abstract

Fracture characteristics, reported primarily for the cranium, are valuable indicators of bullet direction. A bullet striking the vault tangentially produces an irregular opening, termed a “keyhole defect,” with the circular portion of the defect being the initial point of impact. Identifying this feature in tubular bone (long bone) can also demonstrate bullet direction and the position of the bone at the time of the shooting. This case study involving a tangential shot (i.e., a keyhole fracture) to the humerus demonstrates some of the same fracture mechanics seen in the cranium.

Keywords:
forensic science, bone trauma, gunshot trauma, fracture mechanics, keyhole fracture, tubular bone, forensic anthropology

Paper ID: JFS14712J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14712J
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