What type of fractures could indicate abuse?

Questionable fractures such as skull or facial fractures are significant indicators of potential abuse because they are less commonly associated with normal childhood activities. In a clinical or forensic context, these types of fractures can raise red flags, especially if the circumstances surrounding the injury do not align with typical accident scenarios for children. For example, a skull fracture from a fall off a playground structure may be plausible, but a fracture that cannot be easily explained, such as multiple fractures in different stages of healing, suggests the possibility of non-accidental injury.

Medical professionals and investigators often look closely at the location, timing, and type of fractures when assessing potential abuse. In contrast, common childhood fractures, those resulting from sports activities, and age-appropriate fractures, while potentially painful and concerning, usually occur within expected patterns of behavior for children. Thus, while attention must always be given to any injury in a child, certain fractures, particularly skull and facial ones, stand out as more strongly linked to potential abuse scenarios.