ARUP; ISBN: 978-0-9562121-5-3 - CMBBE 2012 - Cardiff University

A finite element analysis of skull bone fractures through frontal head
impacts for forensic applications
1. ABSTRACT
D. Baumgartner 1 , Z. Asgharpour 2 , S. Peldschus 3 and R. Willinger 1
A head injury is any trauma that leads to injury of the scalp, the skull, the brain or the
brain/skull interface tissues. The injuries can range from minor skull fractures to severe
brain injuries. In this study, the model that is used to analyse the experimental head
injuries on cadavers is the Strasbourg University Finite Element Head Model
(SUFEHM). That head model includes the scalp, the facial bone, the skull, the cerebralspinal
fluid, the meninges, the cerebrum and the cerebellum. It is used to simulate three
frontal head impacts using a cylindrical padded impactor. The impacts have been
performed at varying velocities. Skull bone fractures have been investigated as a special
focus and compared to observed fractures on cadaver heads. Besides, such a numerical
tool could be used for reconstructions of head impacts in forensic applications to
investigate the causes and scenario of an injury or of death.
2. INTRODUCTION
Head injury can occur due to road accidents, sport, assault and work activities. Head
injuries to car occupants in crashes, motorcyclist, pedestrians and cyclists are a major
cause of death and permanent brain damage. Evaluation of accident statistics shows that
the most frequent cause of head injury in western countries is caused by road accidents
[1], followed by falls, assaults and sport. Besides, head injuries account for 40% of road
fatalities in the European Union [2]. In developing countries, the number of deaths and
fatalities due to road accidents increases as traffic increases. These countries account for
about 85% of the deaths as a result of traffic crashes [3]. Head injury is related to most
of the fatalities and skull fracture is reported in 69% respectively [4]. Due to the
advances in computer technology, the mathematical modeling and numerical simulation
has become an important tool in injury reconstruction and impact biomechanics. Finite
element (FE) models of human head provide a better insight in the mechanical response
to impact loading of the human head. The advantage of FE models compared to other
methods is that the local mechanical response of the different structures of the head can
be computed. A validated FE model is able to simulate the dynamic load response
realistically and the local response parameters can provide valuable information for
getting a better understanding of head injury mechanisms. The main objective of the
1
Associate Professor, Biomechanical Systems Transport and Safety, University of Strasbourg, IMFS, 2
rue Boussingault, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
2
PhD Student, Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Ludwig Maximillians Universität München, Nussbaumstrasse
26, D-80336 München, Deutschland
3
Professor, Faculty Industrial Technologies, Campus Tuttlingen, Hochschule Furtwangen University,
Deutschland