Citation

Finnie JW. Vet. Pathol. 2015; 53(5): 962-978.

Affiliation

SA Pathology, Hanson Institute Centre for Neurological Diseases and School of Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia john.finnie@health.sa.gov.au.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0300985815612155

PMID

26578643

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury constitutes a significant proportion of cases requiring forensic examination, and it encompasses (1) blunt, nonmissile head injury, especially involving motor vehicle accidents, and (2) penetrating, missile injury produced by a range of high- and lower-velocity projectiles. This review examines the complex pathophysiology and biomechanics of both types of neurotrauma and assesses the macroscopic and histologic features of component lesions, which may be used to determine the cause and manner of death resulting from an intentional assault or accident. Estimation of the survival time postinjury by pathologic examination is also important where malicious head injury is suspected, in an attempt to ascertain a time at which the traumatic event might have been committed, thereby evaluating the authenticity of statements made by the alleged perpetrator.

Language: en