Preventable fatal injury during rally race: a multidisciplinary approach.
Int J Legal Med
; 135(3): 893-901, 2021 May.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33237457
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The motor vehicle crash (MVC) constitutes an important challenge for forensic pathology in order to identify the manner and cause of death. Our study focuses on a fatal accident during a rally race corresponding to MVC sub-category. MATERIALS ANDMETHOD:
Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) was performed before the conventional autopsy. Autoptic and PMCT data were compared. Data collection allowed analyzing biomechanical dynamics of the incident and post-traumatic injuries through qualitative-statistics and solicitation quantitative indices.RESULTS:
Photo and circumstantial evidence analysis showed a wrong installation of double shoulder belt system of head and neck support (HANS) collar. PMTC clearly highlighted multiple and bilateral fractures involving roof and base of skull; a displaced fracture of the right acetabulum was also encountered. Autopsy confirmed PMCT data and revealed a brainstem laceration. AIS (Abbreviated Injury Scale) achieved a maximum score in consideration of fatal injuries.DISCUSSION:
The injuries analysis resulting from photographic surveys examination, conventional autopsy, and PMCT has led us to confirm a fatal front collision with a tree trunk. Head trauma represents a major injury in the present case. In this case, head injuries, related to whiplash trauma, are a consequence of a double shoulder belt system (HANS collar component) wrong installation.CONCLUSION:
MVC and especially high-speed motor racing represent an important death cause. There was, for this reason, a marked development of cars and occupants' safety systems, such as HANS collar. PMCT improves the diagnostic performance of conventional autopsy and increases forensic medical knowledge related to traumatic injuries.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Traumatismos em Atletas
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Autopsia
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Veículos Automotores
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Patologia Legal
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Fraturas Ósseas
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Traumatismos Craniocerebrais
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
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Qualitative_research
Limite:
Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article