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Non-accidental Skeletal Trauma

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The Juvenile Skeleton in Forensic Abuse Investigations

Abstract

Personnel who analyze the biological evidence of fatal child abuse such as forensic anthropologists and pathologists are called upon to assess skeletal trauma and distinguish between injuries stemming from accidental and non-accidental origins. Such analyses assist law enforcement personnel in the identification of individuals and the possible circumstances surrounding death. This chapter offers the reader an essential review of the important literature concerning skeletal evidence of child abuse. It focuses on injuries originating from physically abusive scenarios and also discusses the basic differences between intentional and accidental causes of skeletal trauma.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Charleston County Coroner’s Office, 4050 Bridgeview Drive, Perimeter Center, Suite 500, North Charleston, SC, 29405, USA

    Suzanne M. Abel

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  1. Suzanne M. Abel
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Correspondence to Suzanne M. Abel .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Sociology & Anthropology, North Carolina State University, Current Drive 10, Raleigh, 27695, North Carolina, USA

    Ann H. Ross

  2. Charleston County Coroner’s Office, Bridgeview Drive 4050, North Charleston, 29405, South Carolina, USA

    Suzanne M. Abel

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Abel, S.M. (2011). Non-accidental Skeletal Trauma. In: Ross, A., Abel, S. (eds) The Juvenile Skeleton in Forensic Abuse Investigations. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-255-7_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-255-7_6

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-254-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-255-7

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