Models and Methods for Forensic Bioengineering

Forensic investigations and disputes caused by injury, safety issues, or general threats to the wellbeing of living subjects were once solely, or mostly confined, to the discussion of medical aspects among specialists of the interested disciplines. In more recent times, bioengineering experts are also being involved as the result of the growing complexity and technological content of devices, systems and assemblies that come into contact with living beings. Bioengineering can give significant support to elucidate the terms of forensic disputes thanks to its peculiar quantitative approach, based on well-established scientific models and methods, and to its intrinsic interdisciplinary approach.

The present Research Topic is aimed to give a panoramic view, as wide as possible, of bioengineering models and methods which may give, or have already given, a substantial contribution to the analysis and discussion of the on-site performance and behaviour of devices, systems and assemblies interfacing with the human body. The final aim is to promote an increased awareness of the specific competence of bioengineers and of their fundamental support to legal experts involved in forensic disputes.

Contributed papers shall report on case reports and generalized examples developed out of known legal cases involving (without being limited to) medical devices (e.g. used for orthopaedics, orthodontics, cardiac circulation and surgery), sport equipment, impact and injury biomechanics, biomaterials properties, biomaterial interactions with bodily tissues and fluids, etc.. Special emphasis shall be given to the models and methods used, their application to the considered case, and their validation.