Thesis Title: The correlation between cranial fractures and brain trauma
Supervisors: Dr Calvin Mole and Dr Shameemah Abrahams

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been reported as a public health concern and the leading cause of death in various countries. In order for a reliable and valid diagnosis of TBI, its severity and contributing factors to be made, the pathophysiology of the injury must be understood (Werner & Engelhard, 2007). In forensic medicine and pathology, establishing the role that an injury played in the death of an individual is imperative in determining the cause of the death of the individual and in South Africa, this is a legislative requirement that is governed by the Inquest Act 58 of 1959 (Inquest Act, No. 58 of 1959, 1959). 
The current study will investigate the correlation between cranial fracture and brain trauma, and the extent of this correlation, while determining the prevalence of cranial fracture co-occurring with brain trauma. In cases where the only tissue that is available is skeletal and an anthropological approach is required, having adequate knowledge of the aforementioned correlation will allow for the determination of whether the individual had sustained TBI where there is evidence of a fracture on the cranium. Beyond the forensic utility of such knowledge, this study will contribute to the enhancement of processes in place for the provision of the healthcare, management and treatment of individuals who have suffered a potentially fatal head injury, as well.