A simple depressed skull fracture in an old man with Paget disease: forensic implications in a rare case

Abstract

Skull fractures occur when forces striking the head exceed the mechanical integrity of the calvarium. A depressed skull fracture is a break in a cranial bone with depression of the bone into the brain. A depressed fracture may be open ( compound), with a skin laceration over the fracture, or closed ( simple), when the overlying tissue is not disrupted. The association between simple depressed fracture of the skull and elderly is rare. Paget disease of the bone is a chronic disease characterized by the deposition of abnormal bone tissue, more fragile than normal bone. We report a case of a 92-year-old man who was found supine on the floor in his residence, showing multiple signs of trauma. X-rays and computed tomography scans were performed, showing a simple depressed skull fracture on the right occipital-temporal area and even the characteristics of Paget disease of the skull. The first hypothesis was death due to voluntary homicide. A detailed study of clinical reports, laboratory tests, radiograph scans, and post mortem examination data allowed us to reconstruct the event. Death was finally ruled due to a mild passive trauma, suggesting the unlawful killing of a human without criminal intent, meaning involuntary manslaughter.