An error occurred while loading the PDF.
Determination of Death by Suicide or Homicide through Hyoid Bone Fracture Patterns
Voiceover
Presenter(s)
Roger Sherman
Abstract or Description
Distinguishing between a true suicidal hanging and a homicidal strangulation with subsequent simulated hanging is difficult even for highly trained professionals. A possible way to distinguish between the two modes of death is through examination and comparison of the neck structures, particularly the hyoid bone and noticeable fractures. Not much work has been done on identifying differences in fracture patterns, as most investigators search for obvious and less inconspicuous signs that indicate the mode of death. Hyoid bone models were created using clinical cone beam CT imaging on real hyoids from both sexes, which generated STL files to print using FibreTuff material with 3D printing. The models were crushed at various angles using a hydraulic press to determine the amount of force required to fracture the bones at each tested angle. They were placed inside ballistic gel neck models to simulate suicidal hangings and homicidal strangulations. Various ligatures were tested to determine their influence, and fractures were compared between simulations. It is expected that there will be slight differences in fractures during the simulations, particularly around the greater horns, which would require less force to fracture. The information gathered about hyoid bone fracture patterns could allow for better detection of staged suicides and provide more resources to investigators to determine the mode of death.
Keywords: hyoid, manner of death, strangulation
Comments
Michael Seaman4 years ago
Roger, very interesting project. Can you download and use STL files created by others instead of starting from actual bone samples? Is there an advantage to starting with real samples?
• • 1 comment
Roger Sherman4 years ago
Hi Dr. Seaman. Yes! I can use previously created STL files for printing hyoid bones, and that is how the test model in Figure 2 was developed. The advantage of starting with real samples is that I can analyze the inside of the bones using the CT imaging and ensure that the models will reflect the internal makeup of the samples. This is preferred over previously created STL files because many of them are either completely solid or hollow models, so they do not accurately represent the anatomy of the bone.
Laura Reynolds4 years ago
Hi Roger! This is really interesting research, and I like that you plan to check for sex differences.
•
Haley Moore4 years ago
Hey Roger! Your poster looks awesome and the research is great! Are there any other neck structures that could be used to help determine cause of death? If so, why is this the best model?
• • 1 comment
Roger Sherman4 years ago
Hi Haley. Theoretically, another structure that could be used to help determine cause of death would be the thyroid. However, the hyoid is the better model because the hyoid is made of harder material and it does not fracture often during other types of blunt force trauma to the neck. The thyroid, on the other hand, is not made of bone and is therefore more likely to suffer damage from other types of blunt force trauma, which can throw off the investigators.