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Slip and tilt: modeling falls over railings.

H Muggenthaler¹, M Hubig², A Meierhofer³

¹Institute of Legal Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany. holger.muggenthaler@med.uni-jena.de.

International Journal of Legal Medicine

|October 9, 2020

Summary

Forensic experts can differentiate accidental from non-accidental falls over railings using a simplified biomechanical model. This model assesses the likelihood of a fall based on anti-slip and anti-tilt conditions.

Keywords:

Anti-slip condition Anti-tilt condition Fall analysis Force equilibrium Moment equilibrium

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Area of Science:

Forensic Biomechanics
Accident Reconstruction

Background:

Falls over railings are common in forensic investigations.
Distinguishing accidental from non-accidental falls presents a significant biomechanical challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

To present a simplified mechanical model for analyzing falls over railings.
To aid in differentiating accidental from non-accidental fall scenarios.

Main Methods:

Development of a simplified "cranked rod" mechanical model.
Analysis of anti-slip and anti-tilt conditions to determine fall possibility.
Integration of the model within a multifactorial approach.

Main Results:

The model suggests a fall is possible if anti-slip and anti-tilt conditions are violated.
The simplified model is applicable in scenarios lacking significant dynamic forces (pushing/jumping).

Conclusions:

The proposed mechanical model provides a basis for investigating falls over railings.
A multifactorial approach, including this model, numerical simulation, and evidence analysis, is crucial for accurate forensic conclusions.