Broken Bones: Anthropological Analysis of Blunt Force Trauma

Springfield Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. Near Fine with No dust jacket as issued. 1999. First Edition. Hardcover. Blue cloth. Pp. xvliii, 371: Illustrations, photographs. Index. End wear and corner bumps else a clean, tightly bound copy. The editors, along with 15 outstanding contributors, comprehensively explore and provide an overview of the principles behind the interpretation of skeletal blunt force trauma. "This volume is designed to serve as an overview of the principles behind interpretation of skeletal blunt force trauma. It is intended for those forensic anthropologists confronting human skeletal material, whether from archaeological or forensic contexts which requires analysis of traumatic defects. While relying on clinical reports in large part, it is designed for those dealing with dry bone. Survivability of injuries and morbidity is rarely mentioned and treatment ignored. Rather, the emphasis is first on documentation and second on interpretation. At a second level, this volume aims to emphasize the importance of the individual in interpretation of skeletal trauma. The inclusion of case studies returns to this focus. Small peculiarities of the circumstances of injury, including the position of the body, the configuration of the impacting object and the speed of impact; the anatomical structure of the individual at that point in his or her life; and the perspective of the anthropologist must all mesh to produce a viable interpretation of the trauma production. In forensic anthropology, as in anthropology in general, when all else is done, we must still deal with the individual." Alison Galloway, Preface. "This is probably the most comprehensive book on Blunt Force Trauma on the market. This book is not for beginners or for forensic hobbyists. But for all forensic anthropology/osteology academics out there, it is worth the price." Public review. ; 8vo .