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Fundamental Limits of Shaking a Baby
Author(s) -
Reimann Richard J.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.13777
Subject(s) - angular acceleration , angular velocity , acceleration , limit (mathematics) , rotation (mathematics) , physics , poison control , head (geology) , engineering , mechanics , mathematics , classical mechanics , mathematical analysis , geology , geometry , medicine , medical emergency , geomorphology
Abstract Basic physics places limits on the mechanics involved in shaking a baby. Fundamental definitions and practical limitations are used to compare shaking with car crashes and low‐level falls. First‐order mathematical considerations applied to a 6‐month‐old infant determine an angular velocity limit for head rotation around 75 rad/s and maximum angular acceleration less than 1600 rad/s 2 without impact. By comparison, results from a low‐level fall of 0.76 m (30 inches) yield values of 83 rad/s and 13,000 rad/s 2 in a practical worst‐case scenario.