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01-03-2019 | Case Report

Terrorist explosive belt attacks: specific patterns of bone traumas

Authors: Yann Delannoy, Tania Delabarde, Isabelle Plu, Laurence Legrand, Marc Taccoen, Antoine Tracqui, Bertrand Ludes

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 2/2019

Abstract

In cases of terrorist bomb attacks, the issue of victim identification is the principal aim. For investigators and justice, terrorists must also be identified in a timely manner. The fragmentation of bodies caused by explosive devices however makes this operation difficult. The cases presented correspond to six autopsies of perpetrators carrying explosives. Their explosive belts produced different body sections on areas correlated with the location on the body of carrying explosive charges. Indeed, cross-sectional areas are the signature of the level of explosive devices on the body, and some fracture features through the damage of certain areas of constitutional weaknesses are specific elements to consider. These elements can allow a quick distinction between victims and terrorists, in order to assist in the medico-legal process of identification.

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Title: Terrorist explosive belt attacks: specific patterns of bone traumas
Authors: Yann Delannoy
Tania Delabarde
Isabelle Plu
Laurence Legrand
Marc Taccoen
Antoine Tracqui
Bertrand Ludes
Publication date: 01-03-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 2/2019
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-018-1977-3

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Terrorist explosive belt attacks: specific patterns of bone traumas

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