Interpreting Blunt and Ballistic Bone Trauma from a Medical and Forensic Perspective using 3D Imaging.
From the 29th to the 31st November 2021, Stellenbosch University hosted the Bakeng se Afrika workshop: Beatings, Bullets and Broken Bones. Participants were introduced to the field of forensic anthropology and trauma by Professor Ericka L'Abbé (University of Pretoria) and Dr Rudolf Venter (Stellenbosch University).
Disclaimer: all photographed skeletal material was 3D printed for the purpose of this workshop.
Prof L'Abbé, a biological anthropologist, opened Day 1 of the workshop with an informative presentation on blunt force trauma to bone. Participants learnt about the various internal factors that attribute to bone fracture, the characteristic biomechanical modes of bone failure (tension, shear, compression and a combination of the latter). She also presented on ballistic injury to bone, equipping participants with the knowledge needed in order to distinguish between high energy transfer and low energy transfer injuries.
Different focus fields (forensic anthropology, orthopaedic surgery, biomechanical engineering) have different view points on bone trauma. Forensic anthropologists need to interpret injury inflicted to a body based on their knowledge of the mode of injury and observed fracture patterns. Biomechanical engineers need to design experiments in order to test the properties and failure points of bone as a material. Orthopaedic surgeons need to use the patient's history of the mechanism of fracture as well as the observed fracture patterns to determine the extent of injury.
Following on from Prof L'Abbé's presentations, participants were then exposed to blunt force- and ballistic bone trauma from the perspective of an orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Venter. Dr Venter also provided participants with several case studies and radiographs to enable the practical application of the course work.
At the end of the day, participants were put to the ultimate test - each participant was presented with a 3D printed fractured section of a femur as well as a 3D printed skull model. They were instructed to produce reports of their respective cases, stating possible mode of injury, energy transfer of injury (particular in the case of ballistic injury), observed fracture patterning as well as any distinguishable features about the specimens.
On Day 2, participants were able to gain more hands-on experience through a fun-filed practical workshop. Each participant pair was tasked with inducing their own fracture models on 3D printed long bones. The latter task proved much harder than expected - participants evidently enjoyed the presented challenge as well as listening to each pair's elaborate attempts of producing unique fracture patterns. The most commonly produced fracture pattern was the butterfly fracture. Furthermore, skulls having experienced blunt- and ballistic trauma were also studied. Each workshop attendee was giving the opportunity to present their respective case and group discussions were initiated.
The final day entailed the live, full-body 3D scanning of Dr Venter - an exciting highlight for attendees! Dr Alison Ridel (University of Pretoria) conducted an insightful session consisting of demonstrations as well as presentations pertaining to the application of 3D imaging and printing in research and education.
The emergence of affordable 3D printing technology and facility at the University of Pretoria, as well as a newly established facility at Stellenbosch University, provide students educators with new ways of learning and teaching anatomy, biological anthropology and forensic anthropology. We look forward to the next Bakeng workshops!
Aimee Welmans
Bakeng se Afrika Team
BARU (Biological Anthropology Research Unit)
Division of Clinical Anatomy
Stellenbosch University
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