In a retrospective evaluation of 799 consecutive autopsies of victims of sharp force performed between 1967-1996 in Munster & Berlin, only 18 cases (2.3%) were classified as accidents. A typical pattern was present in 15 cases: inebriated adults fell into an architectural glass surface in the form of a door or window (12 cases) an aquarium, a mirrored wardrobe or a telephone cell. Many victims in this group showed multiple scratches, abrasions & superficial incisions as well as one or more deep tear/cut/puncture injury. Death was mostly caused by exsanguination, except for one case of air embolism & once case of cerebral injury. The fatal injuries were produced by large & dagger-like slivers of glass, by sharpened fragments of glass remaining inside the frame, or by a portion of glass which fell down and acted similar to a guillotine.
