1. Blunt Force Trauma

2. Characteristics of Instruments
Size
length and width
Shape
cross-sectional outline
round -- more fx lines
angular -- fewer fx lines, distinct edges
patterned injuries
Weight
heavy or light

3. Effects of BFT on bone Inbending at the site of force
Outbending around the site of force
LeFort fractures
Ring fractures

4. Estimation of direction Estimation of energy Estimation of number
Same as projectiles
Description of wound
Estimation of size
Estimation of shape
cross-sectional outline and axial configuraton
Estimation of direction
Estimation of energy
Estimation of number
Estimation of sequence

5. Sharp and Miscellaneous Trauma
Sharp is the result of a narrowly focused, dynamic compression force
Results in discontinuity, such as a puncture, incision or cleft
Additional discontinuities include fx lines, hinge fx, and chips of bone (wastage)

6. Effects of Sharp Instruments
Puncture
force is vertical or near vertical, focus is cone-shaped
Incision
defect is longer than wide, force applied across the surface of a bone with a long, sharp edge
Cleft or Notch
hacking
Striations
on the walls, caused by dull or serrated blades

7. Wound Analysis Description of wound Instrument characteristics
type
cutting, stabbing, chopping
size
blade length, width, surface contour, sharpness
Direction of force
Number of traumatic events

8. Miscellaneous Strangulation Fire Chemical Trauma
hanging, ligature, manual strangulation
Fire
Chemical Trauma