Man Killed and Subsequently Buried in a Clandestine Grave

[hermantheshocker]

This middle-aged male individual was assaulted by unknown persons who subsequently buried the body in a clandestine grave. The body was in a state of decomposition, which precluded an assessment of the presence of abrasions or bruises (Figs.1-2). Reflection of the scalp showed numerous full-thickness defects on the scalp (Fig.3). There was extensive fracturing of the skull. In the mid-left parietal region was a superficial, outer table, complex, depressed rounded defect that measured 20mm × 10mm. In the posterior left parietal region was a triangular defect that measured 12 mm × 6 mm. Lateral and inferior to Defect 2 was a fine, outer table, circular defect 6 mm in diameter (Fig.4).


Fig.1 Anterior view of the head showing poor preservation of the soft tissue.


Fig.2 Superior view of the head showing poor preservation of the soft tissue.


Fig.3 Posterior view of the reflected scalp showing numerous full-thickness defects (white arrows).


Fig.4 Superior lateral view of the left side of the skull showing the defects (1, 2, & 3) on the left posterior parietal bone; detail of Defect 1.

In the posterior parietal region, extending from the midline to the right, there were two, mainly outer table, defects measuring 11 mm× 10 mm and 11 mm × 6 mm straddling the midline. On the right posterior parietal bone there was an ovoid, full-thickness, complex depressed defect measuring 24mm × 12mm with a further depression centrally and radiating fractures (Figs.5-6). Viewed internally, Defect 6 was associated with fracturing of the inner table. The defect internally measured approximately 30 mm × 25 mm (Figs.7-8). In the right occipital and right posterior parietal region was a 1.2 × 0.5, triangular, full-thickness depressed defect. In the right posterior parietal region was a circular, superficial, fine, outer table defect 5 mm in diameter. In the right temporal region, there was an ovoid vertically oriented 20 mm × 14 mm full-thickness defect (Figs.9-10).


Fig.5 Posterior view of the skull showing defects in the posterior right parietal region.


Fig.6 Detail of a defect.


Fig.7 Endocranial view of the cranial vault showing the depressed fracture of the inner table.


Fig.8 Detail of the defect.


Fig.9 Right lateral aspect of the skull showing an ovoid full-thickness defect on the right temporal bone.


Fig.10 Detail of the defect. NB: the right zygoma is fractured at the junction with the orbit and maxilla.

The right zygoma was fractured at its junction with the orbit in its lateral part and was comminuted at its junction with the maxilla (see Figs.9-10). The frontal region was extensively fractured with comminuted depressed fractures straddling the midline (Figs.11-12). The largest comprised two depressed fragments, the inferior fragment more depressed than the superior one. The horizontal dimensions of these fragments were 30 mm, the inferior one being curved and the upper being straight. In addition, there were comminuted fractures to the left superior orbital ridge and the left lateral orbital margin. There was an additional large left frontal fragment which was also slightly depressed. There was a depressed curved defect on the left temporal bone, which measured approximately 45mm × 30mm (Fig.13). This defect showed communion along its inferior margin. There was an extension of fractures across the crista galli and the right base of the skull.


Fig.11 Anterior view of the skull showing extensive comminuted fractures of the frontal bone.


Fig.12 Detail of the injury.


Fig.13 Left lateral view of the skull showing a depressed curved defect on the left temporal bone; detail of the defect.

In contrast to cases where there are, for example, two interconnected fractures resulting from two applications of force, the order of infliction can often be established using Puppe’s law of sequence (Berryman and Symes, 1998; Symes et al., 2012). However, where there is a multiplicity of interconnected fractures and depressed fractures from multiple applications of force, determining the order in which the injuries were inflicted is problematic.

The curved edge and outer table depression of some of the defects may suggest that an implement such as a hammer may have been used. Cranial lesions created by a hammer are often geometrical, reflecting the shape of the tool. The outer table of the skull defect has sharp, regular edges and the inner table is beveled and irregular.


Fig.14 VR images of the six standard views of the skull showing multiple comminuted and depressed fractures.


Fig.15 Axial reconstruction of the posterior right parietal bone showing the depressed fracture.


Fig.16 Coronal reconstruction of the posterior right parietal bone showing the depressed fracture.

Postmortem CT showed two patterned, depressed outer table fractures that were round in shape and located on the superior aspects of the left and right parietal bones (Figs.14-16). The depressed fracture on the right parietal was associated with a full-thickness fracture that radiated anteriorly where there was a comminuted depressed fracture of the frontal bone. The left and right zygomas were fractured. There were also at least four smaller V-shaped outer table fractures more posteriorly at the vertex of the skull (see Fig.14). The left temporal bone was also fractured, and its superior aspect was curved superior to the squamous suture.

Information about the Weapon: Blunt instrument. Cause of Death: Head injury. No further details were provided.

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This post is for educational purposes only and is nonprofit. Under Section 107 of the US Copyright Act of 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. OP is not a medical expert. No copyright infringement intended. This post does not encourage or glorify violence/harassment. Images might have been upscaled and enhanced. Text might have been shortened and simplified/reorganized for online view.

[Caf002]

Great post! Dude had some white teeth!

[REVZZYBAN]

Here's looking at you, kid.

[quetza]

joe pesci? beat with bats and tossed in a makeshift grave

[Cathedral]

couldn't pay for his dental implants; every dentist's got to have just a little bit of a sadistic side to their nature

[imbok]

That guy had one violent death. The perp made absolutely sure he was dead. I'm sure there must have been 5 - 10 or more blows to cause this level of damage. I love the VR images - they reveal all. Great post.

[William May]

My extensive training at the Columbian School of Forensic Science and Plumbing tells me he is dead.
I am almost CERTAIN of that!

[kellyhound]

damn, they went medieval on his head