[Forensic evaluation of the time since rib fractures]

Visual, stereomicroscopic and histological analysis of 216 fractures of ribs extracted from 83 dead bodies was carried out during forensic examination in cases of blunt trauma of chest in 58 male and 25 female. It was revealed that modifications of rib fragments, determined with fractometrical method in the zone of contact (trasses, rubbings, polishings) can be used for forensic diagnostic of prescription of ribs fractures. There were revealed characteristic properties of sphacelous, inflammatory and regenerative processes in the zone of ribs fractures which consist in the fact that hemolysis of red blood cells, leucocyte and macrophagal reaction, sphacelous modifications of tissues, formation of granulation tissue are developing faster and proliferation of fibroblasts becomes later than in impairments of other localizations and types. The complex use offractometrical and histological methods increase accuracy and objectiveness offorensic diagnostic of prescription of mechanical trauma of chest.