1. WOUNDS AND INJURIES

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

3. 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.

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

5. 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.

6. Blunt force injuries
Abrasions
Bruises
Lacerations

7. Injuries due to sharp or long instruments
Incised wounds
Stab wounds

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

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

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

18. 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

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

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