Download our poster here: Louka & Primeau 2024
Poster presented at: the British Association for Forensic Anthropology (BAFA) Winter Conference 30th November 2024, Oxford
A systematic review on the application of Fractography in Forensic Anthropology and Trauma Analysis: Assessing the gap between Academia and Practice
Introduction: Fractography is the detailed study of fractured surfaces to understand the causes and mechanisms of material failure. Fractography helps identify the fracture types (classification), crack initiation points, crack propagation and stress during failure by analysing the topographic features of fracture surfaces. In forensic anthropology, bone fractography is a newly introduced method to the study of bone fractures and biomechanics This systematic review provides a comprehensive evaluation of the application of fractography in trauma analysis, the current state of research and level of experimental progress in the establishment of the technique.
Methods: Bibliographic research was conducted using Scopus, ProQuest, PubMed, and Web of Science with search terms ‘Fractography,’ ‘Forensic’, and ‘Anthropology’, and variations thereof. From 749 publications, titles and abstracts were screened, excluding duplicates, non-English or non-peer-reviewed papers, and studies not involving bone. Included papers applied fractography to human or animal (as human analogue) bones. The remaining full texts were reviewed, resulting in a final selection of 22 publications.
Preliminary results: The review shows the application of bone fractography across various trauma types; blunt force, projectile, and sharp-force trauma, using both human and animal remains. Imaging methods used were micro-CT, SEM and microscopy for observing fracture features. Experimental setups frequently apply three- and four-point bending to simulate trauma mechanics. However, no universal protocols or consistent experimental guidelines exist, restricting reproducibility and hindering cross-study comparisons. Additionally, while the identification of specific fracture features aids classification and interpretation, the technical demands of high-resolution imaging and the engineering origins of fractography present challenges in practical forensic contexts. The lack of accessible, standardised methods highlights a gap between academic advancements and routine forensic practice. To address these limitations, future efforts should prioritise cost-effective imaging, expanded training, and standardised protocols to support the reliable integration of fractography in forensic anthropology.
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