skeletal trauma in death investigations

$80.00

October 16, 2025 - 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM  EST

Live Webinar

Instructor: Dr. Meredith Tise, Forensic Anthropologist

This 3-hour live webinar provides death investigators, crime scene personnel, and forensic professionals with a foundational understanding of skeletal trauma and its forensic significance in medicolegal death investigations. Participants will learn how to recognize, differentiate, and interpret skeletal trauma patterns associated with various mechanisms of injury. The course covers trauma types such as blunt force, sharp force, and projectile trauma, along with distinguishing antemortem pathology from perimortem trauma and postmortem damage. Real-world case studies will be used to apply concepts and promote critical thinking in trauma analysis.

Topics Covered:

1. Introduction to Skeletal Trauma

- Bone Structure and Fracture Types

- Timing of Trauma (Antemortem, Perimortem, and Postmortem Trauma)

2. Blunt Force Trauma

- Common Mechanisms (Falls, Blows, Vehicle Collisions)

- Fracture Patterns

3. Sharp Force Trauma

- Characteristics of Sharp Force Wounds

- Tool Mark Analysis

4. Gunshot Wound and Projectile Trauma

- Entrance vs. Exit Wounds

- Beveling and Radiating Fractures

- Trajectory Reconstruction

5. Pathology and Postmortem Damage

- Common Disease Patterns in Bone

- Postmortem Damage to Bone (Animal, Heavy Machinery, etc.)

6. Case Studies

- Case Examples from Forensic Anthropology Casework

By the end of this webinar, participants will have an understanding of skeletal trauma analysis in medicolegal contexts. They will be able to recognize and differentiate between blunt force, sharp force, and projectile trauma, as well as identify key features that distinguish perimortem trauma from antemortem pathology and postmortem damage. Through case studies and practical examples, attendees will develop the skills to interpret skeletal injuries and apply trauma analysis techniques to real-world death investigations.

This class is approved for 3 hours of IAI Crime Scene Recertification credits and 3 hours of ABMDI continuing education hours.

Attendance Policy: Students must attend this class to receive a certificate.  Students that have enrolled in the class but need to cancel shall contact Suncoast Forensics at meredith@suncoastforensics.com.  No shows for the class will result in a non-refundable class fee.  This fee will be waived in instances of legitimate emergencies.  If an agency needs to send a substitution in place of a registered student, contact Suncoast Forensics to provide updated student information.

This webinar can only be attended by the individual that has registered for the course. Suncoast Forensics does not permit the watching, listening, broadcasting, or distributing of this webinar to any individuals that are not registered for this course.