Fatal Falls from Height

Abstract

Especially in urban settings, falls from height are a phenomenon that significantly contributes to population morbidity and mortality. The injuries sustained vary depending on the falling height, the composition of the impact surface, the position of the body when landing and individual factors such as age, body weight and preexisting disease. Cases of fatal falls from height can carry a high forensic relevance, because at the time the body is found, the manner of death is often unclear. Injuries sustained prior to the actual fall that might have been inflicted by another person might well be masked by the impact injuries. It is thus especially important in these cases to take into account not only the autopsy findings but also toxicology results, findings at the death scene, and the medical, psychiatric, and social history of the victim. The aim of this review is to summarize the most important findings in cases of fatal falls from height and to discuss the possibilities and limits in interpreting these findings with special regard to the manner of death.