Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Death due to crushing by an elephant trunk

  • Images in Forensics
  • Published:
Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

References

  1. Herdson S. Inquiry into the death of Helen Erica Scofield, Coroners Court, Auckland New Zealand, CSU-2012-AUK-577.

  2. Bury D, Langlois NEI, Byard RW. Animal-related fatalities Part I: characteristic autopsy findings and variable causes of death associated with blunt and sharp trauma. J Forensic Sci. 2012;57:370–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Bury D, Langlois NEI, Byard RW. Animal-related fatalities Part II: characteristic autopsy findings and variable causes of death associated with envenomation, poisoning, anaphylaxis, asphyxiation and sepsis. J Forensic Sci. 2012;57:375–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Stiegler D, Gilbert JD, Warner MS, Byard RW. Fatal dog bite in the absence of significant trauma—Capnocytophaga canimorsus infection and unexpected death. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2010;31:198–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Byard RW, Wick R, Simpson E, Gilbert JD. The pathological features and circumstances of death of lethal crush/traumatic asphyxia in adults—a 25-five year study. Forensic Sci Int. 2006;159:200–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Byard RW. Commercial fishing industry deaths—forensic issues. J Forensic Leg Med. 2013;20(3):129–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. McCarty VO, Cox RA, Haglund B. Death caused by a constricting snake—an infant death. J Forensic Sci. 1989;34:239–43.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Albrecht K, Breitmeier D, Fieguth A, Tröger HD. Fatalities after injuries by wild animals. Arch Kriminol. 2002;212:96–103.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Das SK, Chattopadhyay S. Human fatalities from wild elephant attacks—a study of fourteen cases. J Forensic Leg Med. 2011;18:154–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Hejna P, Zátopková L, Šafr M. A fatal elephant attack. J Forensic Sci. 2012;57:267–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Durrheim DN, Leggat PA. Risk to tourists by wild mammals in South Africa. J Travel Med. 1999;6:172–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Begoian AG. Death from compression of the neck by an elephant’s trunk. Sud Med Ekspert. 1979;22:56–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Mr Shuffles crushes keeper at Taronga Zoo. The Australian. 19 October 2012. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/person-injured-by-elephant-atSydney-zoo/story-e6frg6nf-1226499288546. Accessed 1 January 2012.

  14. Langley RL, Hunter JL. Occupational fatalities due to animal-related events. Wilderness Environ Med. 2001;12:168–74.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Murray LA, Sivaloganathan S. Rambutt–the killer sheep. Med Sci Law. 1987;27:95–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Goudge ST. Inquiry into paediatric forensic pathology in Ontario: report, vol 2, p. 23, 2008. http://www.goudgeinquiry.ca. Accessed 12 May 2012.

  17. Byard RW, Tsokos M. Forensic issues in cases of Diogenes syndrome. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2007;28:177–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to sincerely thank the family of the decedent, the New Zealand Chief Coroner, the Investigating Coroner, Ms S. Herdson, and the police for permission to publish details of this tragic case.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forensic Medicine, Royal Newcastle Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia

    Jane Vuletic

  2. Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, Level 3 Medical School North Building, The University of Adelaide, Frome Road, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia

    Roger W. Byard

Authors
  1. Jane Vuletic
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Roger W. Byard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roger W. Byard.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vuletic, J., Byard, R.W. Death due to crushing by an elephant trunk. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 9, 449–451 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-013-9415-9

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-013-9415-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation