WOUNDS AND INJURIES

Disruption of the normal structure of tissues Wounds and injuries DEFINITION Disruption of the normal structure of tissues caused by the application of force.

Wounds and injuries Legal definition of a wound a wound is where the whole skin is broken, the continuity of the skin broken. An abrasion of the surface is not sufficient. Splits of the inside of the mouth are included but not fractures or internal injuries if the overlying skin is intact.

Wounds and injuries A wound implies a deliberate action while an injury can be caused accidentally.

Interpretation of injuries This is the most important part of the forensic examination The nature of the agent(s) causing the injuries may be identified in general terms e.g. due to a blunt object or a sharp object. The pattern of the injuries on the body may help in deciding the circumstances in which the injuries occurred, accident, suicide or homicide.

Blunt force injuries Abrasions Bruises Lacerations

Injuries due to sharp or long instruments Incised wounds Stab wounds

Bruise Crushing of tissues epidermis uninjured connective tissue crushed small vessels ruptured and bleed into tissues common in young and old, haematological problems falls, assaults

Abrasions Surface injury graze or scratch rough surface striking the body tangentially crushed epidermis, pressure or imprint abrasions examples: ligature mark, fingernail scratches, tyre marks, ground or gravel injuries e.g. grazed knees

Lacerations Breach in epidermis and dermis crush injury common where skin stretched over bone, scalp, face and shins margins bruised and abraded tissues not cleanly divided, tissue ‘bridges’ across base of wound bleed profusely falls, kicks and blows from object

Stab wounds Caused by long object penetrate body small surface wound, depth varies shape depends on object penetrating

Incised wound Due to sharp instruments length greater than depth wound margins uninjured deep tissues cleanly cut e.g. surgeon’s incised wound

Other injuries Weals Glass injuries Axe injuries Thermal injuries Firearm injuries Defence injuries Self-inflicted injuries

Miscellaneous Weals - triple response defence injuries - assaults; arms, hands, legs self inflicted - haphazard on arms or body in mental disorders tentative injuries - suicide attempts; short, shallow wounds on wrists or neck

Age of injuries Colour changes in bruises - purple to yellow scab formation in abrasions scabbing and scarring of laceration histological examination of tissues

Death from injuries Haemorrhage damage to vital structure shock infection pulmonary thromboembolism acute tubular necrosis fat embolism