Medicolegal Investigations Into Deaths Due to Crush Asphyxia After Tractor Side Rollovers.

Am J Forensic Med Pathol

From the *Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, Section of Forensic Medicine, and †Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Section of Agricultural Engineering, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.

Published: December 2017

AI Article Synopsis

  • Farm tractors are heavy vehicles that can overturn on uneven ground, posing serious risks of crush asphyxia for drivers and passengers, especially without safety equipment.
  • The review addresses challenges faced by coroners and forensic pathologists in confirming crush asphyxia in deaths caused by tractor rollovers.
  • Investigations require thorough examination of the accident scene, vehicle mechanics, and detailed postmortem and toxicological analysis.

Article Abstract

Farm tractors are large, heavy, powerful vehicles with a high center of gravity. When driven carelessly on sloping, irregular, or slippery ground, tractors can overturn sideways and cause the death by crush asphyxia of the driver or passengers, especially if appropriate safety equipment is not fitted or used. The aim of this review is to focus on the diagnostic difficulties with which coroners and forensic pathologists have to cope when a confirmation of crush asphyxia after tractor side rollover is required by judicial authorities. Forensic investigations in such cases must involve the meticulous analysis of the death scene and the mechanical characteristics of the vehicle together with accurate postmortem and toxicological examination.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/PAF.0000000000000334DOI Listing

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