Fall from Heights Pattern of Injuries

Abstract

Deaths due to fall from heights are common in the State of Kerala. Majority of the cases are falls from tall trees and buildings. The present study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical College, Trivandrum. The objective was to find out the nature and pattern of injuries sustained to the victims of fall from heights. Effort was made to find out the height of fall by visiting the scene of occurrence. The site of primary impact was identified from the analysis of injuries, statements of witness and records of the police. Majority of the cases were accidental falls. Of the 100 cases studied, accidents constituted 98%. There were only two cases of suicide. Most of the victims were active laborers in the age group of 20-60 years and the height of fall varied from 5-10 meters. Maximum number of primary head impacts were also noted in this group. Apart from injuries to skull and brain, involvement of cervical spine was a common feature. Visceral injuries were a common feature in trunk impacts. Buttock impacts were characterized by fracture of pelvis and spine. Leg impacts showed fracture of leg bones and spine.