[Biomechanical conditions of developing injuries sustained from falling from a height]

Evaluation of the height from which human fell from his/her tissue and organ injuries is discussed. The authors of available publications paid the principal attention to estimation of the height from which the victim fell without consideration for the kinetic energy of the body, which depends not only on the height from which the victim fell, but on his/her body weight as well. Primary external and primary internal injuries are distinguished, which are determined by the area of contusion during landing; secondary contact injuries which form during inertial movement of the body after the first contusion, and injuries due to negative acceleration during contusion when landing (so-called signs of total body concussion) are also distinguished. The totality of all listed injuries helps estimate the total kinetic energy at the moment of contusion and determine the height of falling, with due consideration for anthropometric characteristics of the victim.