An investigation of the skeletal blunt force trauma resulting from fatal motor vehicle incidents

This thesis explores the patterns of trauma that are sustained across the skeletons of vehicle occupants involved in fatal collisions in Australia and England. It considers how different circumstances influence fracture patterns. The research establishes and compares the frequency of fracturing different skeletal regions in motorcycle, car and truck occupants. It also assesses whether factors like age, safety mechanisms and impact type affect the risk of sustaining skeletal trauma in each of the three vehicle types. The findings will assist the fields of forensic anthropology and pathology by providing greater insights into the skeletal injuries that occur in fatal collisions.