Pathological Features of Fatal Crocodile Attacks in Northern Australia, 2005–2014

• Terence J. Sinton ^[2] ; Roger W. Byard ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Adelaide

     University of Adelaide

     Australia

     
  2. [2] Forensic Pathology Unit Royal Darwin NT Australia
• Localización: Journal of forensic sciences, ISSN-e 1556-4029, ISSN 0022-1198, Vol. 61, Nº. 6, 2016, págs. 1553-1555
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Eleven deaths from crocodile attacks in the Northern Territory, Australia were reviewed. The male:female ratio was 8:3; age range—10–62 years, average 29.4 years. Four children were included (one boy and three girls, aged 10, 11, and two at 12 years), and there were seven aboriginal victims (64%). The attacks were witnessed in eight cases with the victims swimming in freshwater N = 5, standing on a river bank N = 1, fishing in fresh water N = 1, or diving in the sea N = 1. At autopsy, several distinct patterns of injury were observed ranging from complete traumatic disruption of the body with only incomplete remains for examination (N = 5), to crushing of the head with fractures of the skull (N = 4), crushing of the chest with fractures of the ribs and sternum (N = 2), and avulsion of limbs (N = 4). In one case, there was decapitation. Autopsy evaluations were complicated by decomposition and loss of body parts