The main goal of forensic science is to interpret the circumstances of an injury after the event. One of the major challenges in this is to distinguish whether the death or injury was accidental, intentional or suicidal. There is growing recognition of the need to be able to more rigorously analyse the roles of individuals implicated in the injury or death, the circumstances of the injury, and the degree of force required to produce the injury to identify intent.

Aim: To explore the use of biomechanical techniques to recreate impact injury events and determine method and intent of injury.

Project Team: Peter Davidson, Michael Taylor, Jules Kieser, Suzanne Wilson

Funding: Dunedin School of Medicine Bequest Fund, ESR Capability Fund, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine.