Differentiating Traumatic Bone Lesion from Sternal Foramen: A Case Report

Authors

  • Amanda Pereira Ferraz Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Faculdade de Odontologia, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil
  • Anderson Nóbrega dos Santos Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Faculdade de Odontologia, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil
  • Antônio Veloso Correia Neto Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil
  • Carolina Lucena Veloso Gusmão Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontologia, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil
  • Maria do Socorro Dantas de Araújo Instituto de Polícia Científica, Núcleo de Medicina e Odontologia Legal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil
  • Bianca Marques Santiago Instituto de Polícia Científica, Núcleo de Medicina e Odontologia Legal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brasil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17063/bjfs12(4)y2025371-382

Keywords:

Forensic anthropology, Anatomical variation, Esterno, Anatomia

Abstract

Forensic anthropology is defined as the study and analysis of human skeletal remains to provide answers in a medico-legal context. This work aimed to demonstrate the importance of understanding anatomical variations of the sternum in the differential diagnosis of traumatic injuries caused by piercing and blunt instruments, by describing a forensic case report. In 2022, the Forensic Anthropology sector of NUMOL/IPCB/PB received a body in an advanced state of decomposition. After the cleaning procedure, a firearm projectile (FP) was found alongside the skeletal remains, and circular/oval lesions were observed on the skull, mandible, scapula, and sternum. The sternum presented three perforating holes of similar shape and size, requiring forensic expertise to differentiate them and understand the crime dynamics. One of the holes was in the xiphoid process, with regular edges, characteristic of a sternal foramen, classified as a congenital variation. The other holes showed irregular edges, consistent with firearm entry and exit wounds. The combined use of anthroposcopy and anthropometry is essential for distinguishing anatomical variations such as the sternal foramen from traumatic injuries or pathological conditions. Investing in new technologies to differentiate these lesions could support forensic work.

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Published

2025-03-31

How to Cite

Pereira Ferraz, A., Nóbrega dos Santos, A., Correia Neto, A. V., Veloso Gusmão, C. L., do Socorro Dantas de Araújo, M., & Marques Santiago, B. (2025). Differentiating Traumatic Bone Lesion from Sternal Foramen: A Case Report. Brazilian Journal of Forensic Sciences, Medical Law and Bioethics, 12(4), 371–382. https://doi.org/10.17063/bjfs12(4)y2025371-382

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 4 (2025): Volume 12 Issue 4

Section

Estudo de Caso

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