Lead author and MSU alum Dr. Mari Isa of Texas Tech University, Department of Anthropology Professor and Chair Todd Fenton, current MSU Anthropology Ph.D. candidates Alex Goots and Elena Watson, and engineering colleagues Patrick Vaughan and Dr. Feng Wei, have published a collaborative article titled “Effects of input energy and impactor shape on cranial fracture patterns” in the November 2023 issue of Forensic Science International.

Read the full article: https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1hxKS1MCG0a57K

Abstract: This study documents relationships between input energy, impactor shape, and the formation of fractures in human crania. Parietal impact experiments (n = 12) were performed at 67% higher input energy compared to previously reported experiments. Fracture origins, characteristics, and locations were compared at two input energy levels with three impactor shapes (focal “hammer”, flat “brick”, and curved “bat”). Impacts with all three impactors at both energy levels produced fractures originating at and remote to the impact site, indicating both mechanisms are typical in temporoparietal blunt force impacts. Higher energy impacts generally produced more impact site fractures, depression, and comminution than lower energy impacts. A small, focal impactor produced cone cracks, depression, and fractures localized near the impact site. A broad, curved impactor produced circumferential fractures and linear fractures extending into adjacent bones. A broad, flat impactor produced fracture patterns ranging from linear fractures to large depressed and comminuted defects.