GMS 6351: Trauma Analysis

Core Course
Credits: 3
Instructor: Dr. Suzanne Utley


This course will explain the differences between trauma to soft tissue and trauma to bone and how to distinguish between each. Ante-, peri-, or post-mortem trauma will be compared to natural taphonomic effects and animal scavenging.

Objectives:

  • Explain the differences between sharp force trauma, blunt force trauma, and gunshot wounds in the human body.
  • Know the differences between trauma to soft tissue and trauma to bone.
  • Distinguish between ante- or peri-mortem trauma and post-mortem trauma.
  • Distinguish between trauma and animal scavenging or predation.
  • Understand the principles of taphonomy and how trauma differs.

Topics:

Module

Topic

Module 1 Trauma to Soft Tissue – Sharp Force
Module 2 Trauma to Soft Tissue – Blunt Force
Module 3 Trauma to Soft Tissue – Gunshot Wounds
Module 4 Trauma to Bone – Sharp Force
Module 5 Trauma to Bone – Blunt Force
Module 6 Trauma to Bone – Gunshot wounds
Module 7 Animal Scavenging and Predation
Module 8 Environmental Taphonomic Changes
Module 9 Trauma to Bone vs. Environmental Taphonomy