Bone abrasions due to the dragging force of a moving vehicle: two unusual case reports

Abstract

Abrasion injuries such as graze abrasions occur due to dragging of the body over a rough surface along the line of force. Such dragging of a body usually occurs when a person is trapped/pinned underneath a moving object like an automobile. Most of such injuries are superficial in nature or are limited to the soft tissues only. However, when the body is dragged for a considerable distance with considerable force then there might be bony involvement causing abrasion injuries to bone, which may be termed as “bone abrasion”. The authors present 2 cases having a specific pattern of abrasion injuries due to dragging of the broad body surface area by a moving vehicle for a considerable distance with speed and force in a road traffic accident. With evolving science there is a need to acknowledge injuries which may have specific pattern. Abrasion of bone due to a dragging force comprises such an interesting pattern of injuries, which potentially have forensic significance.

Keywords

• forensic science
• graze abrasion of bone
• vehicular trauma
• human body.