Elder Abuse in Forensic Anthropology

This case study reviews the use of forensic anthropology in the investigation of elder abuse. The objectives of this article are to (1) review the minimal literature related to elder abuse in the forensic anthropology and bioarchaeological record, highlighting the importance of the healing continuum and pathological influences; (2) outline the theoretical frameworks that can be applied to forensic anthropological research into elder abuse; and (3) highlight a case study of elder abuse identifying the key features, including the quantity of fractures and the refracturing consistent with long-term, repetitive patterns. The results of this case study show the application of skeletal trauma analysis in assisting the investigation of elder abuse and the need for further related research.