1. PENETRATING INJURIES
Dr. Ravi Nanayakkara

2. Objectives
Discuss the medico legal aspects of Incised wounds and Penetrating injuries/stabs

3. Penetrating injuries
Penetrate into a body cavity or deeper tissue through the skin.
Stab wounds
Punctured wounds
Perforations

4. Punctured wounds Caused by pointed instruments Only tip is pointed
Rest of the weapon may be round/blunt
Can penetrate into a body cavity
Wound is circular with marginal bruise
Weapons : nail, needle

5. Perforating wound By a long blunted instruments
Wounds have marginal bruises
Ends may be torn
Weapons: Screw driver, probe, broken end of a tree
Perforating laceration by bullets.

6. Stab wounds
Penetrating injuries caused by flat, thin bladed, sharp cutting weapons Depth of the wound is greater than external length Weapons : Table knives, kris knives, scissors

7. Features of the weapon modify the appearance of the injury
Sharpness of the blade
Thickness of the blade
Width of the blade
Length of the blade
Shape of the blade
Number of cutting edges
Presence of a guard

8. Shape of the blade Uniformly tapering Tapering and pointed only at tip
Passage through solid organs (liver, kidney) or bone will give a clear idea of the shape.

9. Number of cutting edges
Single cutting edge
One end will be cut and other torn
Fish tail appearance
Double cutting edge
Both ends will be cut

10. Presence of a guard
If the weapon is driven up to the hilt, it will leave an imprint abrasion.

11. Undercutting and shelving

12. Re entry and rocking

13. Stabs with scissors
Stabs with broken bottle

14. Force require to cause a penetrating injury will depend on
Pointed, thin, sharp blade require less force
Area of the body
Thick skin greater force
Underlying structures
Involvement of clothing

15. Medico legal importance
By examining a wound
Circumstance
Type of the weapon/s
Volitional activities
Cause of death

16. Summary
Definition
Identification and features
Medico legal importance

17. Thank you