Abstract: Objective To study the characteristics of forensic identification of phalangeal fracture and to use a combination of medical records, imaging materials, and forensic examination data in identification. Methods Fifty cases of phalangeal fracture involved in the forensic identification were collected from 2009 to 2011. The general situation, the distribution of fracture, the fracture morphology, the injury-causing objects and the results of identification were analyzed retrospectively. Results Majority of the cases of phalangeal fracture were young and middle-aged men. The index finger and distal phalanx fractures were common. There was no difference in the number of phalangeal fracture between left and right hand. Most of the injury-causing objects were knives and sticks, followed by bricks and stones. Conclusion The injury-causing objects and modes are related to the morphology of fracture, the distribution of fracture and the severity of the injury. The comprehensive analysis is helpful in forensic identification of phalangeal fracture.

Key words: forensic medicine, fractures, bone, finger phalanges, cases analysis