Beer stein blast to the head a rare case of combined blunt and sharp force trauma

S N Kunz,F Fischer,J Adamec,N Gorges

doi:10.1007/s00414-020-02353-6

S N Kunz, F Fischer + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-020-02353-6

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Abstract

Cases of combined blunt and sharp force trauma to the head caused by one striking tool are rare. When beer steins are used as an assault weapon, they can cause blunt traumas upon initial contact phase. If the impact force exceeds the mechanical stability of the beer stein, it breaks into several sharp-edged pieces, which then can cause sharp force trauma injuries due to the interaction between the head and the stein fragments.We present a case of a 43-year old man, who suffered from blunt and sharp force head traumas due to one single blow with a 1-l beer stein. A forensic-biomechanical analysis of the event, together with witness testimony evaluation and experimental comparison helped to reconstruct the most probable chain of events. Based on these findings as well as on the medical diagnoses and treatment, the assault was assessed as a nonacute life-threatening, but potentially fatal offence. The case was indicted as grievous bodily harm.

Highlights

The use of blunt objects as an assault weapon with blows launched against the head is a common form of body violence during physical confrontations
When the beer stein strikes the head, the impact force is transferred onto the target area until it exceeds the fracture threshold of the beer stein
In the present case report, the victim suffered from a wound to the parietal region of the head as well as underlying soft tissue haemorrhages, swellings, and a skullcap impression fracture

Summary

Introduction

The use of blunt objects as an assault weapon with blows launched against the head is a common form of body violence during physical confrontations. A frequent occurrence of beer stein assault cases is recorded by the police during the annual Octoberfest in Munich, Germany, with numbers ranging from 27 to 53 each year [1,2,3,4,5] In such cases, it is the task of the forensic medical specialist to determine whether the morphology of the injury is specific enough to draw conclusions about a particular weapon and the manner, in which it was used. Afterwards, in a bar nearby, he was involved in a verbal confrontation with two other men According to his statement, Int J Legal Med (2020) 134:1791–1796 he walked away from the scene, when he suddenly felt a blow to his head and went down to the ground. Medical report The injury in the parietal region of the head was surgically treated with five stitches (Fig. 4). The cranial injury was treated conservatively, and the patient was sent home

Discussion

Limitations

Conclusion

Compliance with ethical standards