Risser D, Bönsch A, Schneider B, Bauer G
Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Vienna, Austria.
Forensic Sci Int. 1996 Apr 23;78(3):187-91. doi: 10.1016/0379-0738(95)01885-9.
Falls from height are predominantly an urban phenomenon and represent an important form of blunt trauma. Disagreement predominates regarding the height at which death results. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of dying after a free fall from height in relation to the distance fallen. Therefore, medical records of victims of a fall from height treated in 1989 at Viennese emergency units were analysed. In addition, post-mortem reports of deaths due to falls from height, examined in the same year at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Vienna, were studied. For the purpose of an homogenous investigation sample in regard to physical condition, only people aged from 20 to 50 years were taken into account. A total of 11 females and 30 males suffered an accidental fall from buildings, seven men from scaffolding and two men from a tree. A total of 18 females and 18 males jumped from residential buildings. One woman and nine men intentionally fell from other buildings. All victims landed on concrete or pavement. Suicidal jumps occurred from significantly higher places than accidental falls. The results of this analysis suggest that death usually occurs when distance is more than five storeys.
高处坠落主要是一种城市现象，是钝器创伤的一种重要形式。关于导致死亡的高度，目前存在较大分歧。本研究的目的是调查从高处自由落体后死亡的风险与坠落距离之间的关系。因此，对1989年在维也纳急救单位接受治疗的高处坠落受害者的病历进行了分析。此外，还研究了同年在维也纳法医学研究所检查的因高处坠落导致死亡的尸检报告。为了获得身体状况方面的同质调查样本，仅考虑年龄在20至50岁之间的人。共有11名女性和30名男性意外从建筑物上坠落，7名男性从脚手架上坠落，2名男性从树上坠落。共有18名女性和18名男性从住宅楼跳下。1名女性和9名男性故意从其他建筑物上坠落。所有受害者均落在混凝土或人行道上。自杀性跳楼发生的地点比意外坠落的地点明显更高。该分析结果表明，当坠落距离超过五层楼高时通常会导致死亡。
