ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 November 2004
Page Count: 6

Understanding Rib Fracture Patterns: Incomplete and Buckle Fractures
Love, JC
College of Nursing, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, TN

Symes, SA
Mercyhurst College, PA

(Received 24 April 2004; accepted 13 June 2004)

Abstract

Reconstructing traumatic thoracic events, especially when soft tissues are absent, requires an advanced understanding of ribcage fracture patterns. The morphology and orientation of ribs complicate the fracture pattern, as a single blow often causes multiple fractures at various locations. Furthermore, fracture types observed in ribs are not explained easily by current bone biomechanic literature. Using evidential skeletal material archived at the Regional Forensic Center, Memphis, the ribs of 43 blunt force trauma cases were analyzed. A total of 195 incomplete fractures and 63 buckle fractures were noted. Incomplete fractures, previously thought to be common in children but rare in adults, were found among individuals ranging in age from 21–76 years. A buckle fracture, failure resulting from compressive instability, has been undefined previously in bone trauma literature but was repeatedly observed in this sample. This study elucidates recognizable rib fracture patterns while emphasizing gross bone examination for force and mechanical factors.

Keywords:
forensic science, forensic anthropology, rib fractures, bone biomechanics, incomplete fractures, buckle fractures

Paper ID: JFS2004175
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2004175
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