The Role of Forensic Botany in Reconstructing the Dynamics of Trauma from High Falls

• Published in: Journal of forensic sciences Vol. 64; no. 3; pp. 920 - 924
• Main Authors: Aquila, Isabella, Sacco, Matteo A, Ricci, Pietrantonio, Gratteri, Santo
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: 01.05.2019
• ISSN: 1556-4029
• DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13934

The analysis of botanical traces can be supportive, especially when the crime scene investigation and autopsy do not provide sufficient information. This issue arises most commonly in fatal falls from height. We report the case of a man found dead below a hill. The body showed traumatic injuries from a fall. During the scene investigation, a sampling of botanical elements was carried out on three zones of the hill called the point of loss of balance, the point of fall, and the point of impact. The botanical elements collected on the three zones were compared with those found on the victim and an autopsy was performed. The botanical analysis clarified the phases of falling, as well as allowing us to reconstruct the dynamics and the accidental manner of death.