Abstract
Blunt-force trauma deaths are one of the most common cases encountered by forensic anthropologists because they involve accidental, suicidal, and homicidal deaths (Batalis 2025). In forensic cases, blunt force trauma is sometimes concealed by thermal alteration to cover evidence. Because of the mechanical and chemical properties that influence thermal and blunt-force trauma, distinguishing between them becomes difficult (Raniero et al. 2024). Previous literature discussing thermal alteration after blunt force trauma has typically focused on either fleshed or skeletal remains. This study uses both fleshed and skeletal deer heads under the same conditions to determine if: 1) Thermal trauma can be distinguished from blunt force trauma?; and 2) How thermal trauma differs between remains that are skeletal and fleshed?
This research uses twelve fleshed and skeletal deer heads, of which 6 are subjected to simulated trauma using a homemade trauma machine that represents a hammer swinging. All samples were then burned in an open-air outdoor wood fire in the horizontal plane for 45 minutes. After overnight cooling, analysis showed that the fractures present and fracture margins helped distinguish blunt-force trauma fractures from thermal trauma fractures. Color change and soft tissue survival help distinguish how thermal alteration affects fleshed and skeletal remains differently. This research contributes to current literature and methodology on identifying blunt force trauma from thermal trauma in skeletal and fleshed remains.
Advisor
Kathleen Blue
Committee Member
Kathleen Wheeler
Committee Member
Michael Minicozzi
Date of Degree
2026
Language
english
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Science (MS)
Program of Study
Applied Anthropology
Department
Geography and Anthropology
College
Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Citation
Ranney, A. (2026). Differentiating blunt force trauma fractures from thermal fractures in fleshed and skeletal deer heads [Master’s thesis, Minnesota State University, Mankato]. Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds/1603/
Rights Statement
