Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Definition
o physical injuries – effect of some form of stimulus on the body
effects may be immediate or delayed
immediate – thrust to the body by a sharp pointed or a sharp
edged instrument
delayed – hit by a blunt object
Classification of wounds
o as to severity
mortal wound – capable of causing death
heart and big blood vessels
brain and upper portion of the spinal cord
lungs
stomach, liver, spleen and intestines
non mortal wound – not capable of producing death
o as to the kind of instrument used
blunt instrument – contusion, hematoma, lacerated wound
sharp instrument
sharp-edged – incised wound
sharp-pointed – punctured wound
sharp-edged and sharp-pointed – stab wound
tearing force – lacerated wound
wound brought about by change of atmospheric pressure –
barotrauma
heat or cold – frostbite, burns and scald
chemical explosion – gunshot or shrapnel wound
infection
o as to the manner of inflection
hit – bolo, blunt instrument
thrust or stab – bayonet dagger
gunpowder explosion
sliding or rubbing or abrasion
o as regards to the depth of the wound
superficial
deep – inner structures
penetrating
perforating
o as regards to the relation of the site of the application of force and location
of injury
coup injury
Physical Injuries - Marfori, Francis Anthony V, MD, BSN 2
7 to 10 days – yellow
14 to 15 days – disappear
open wound
abrasions / scratch
o removal of the superficial epithelial layer of the skin
o caused by rub or friction against a hard rough surface
o importance in medico-legal
abrasions caused by fingernails
indicate struggle or assault
located in the face, neck, forearms and hands
abrasions resulting from friction on rough surfaces
(intentional or accidental) over bony parts
nature of abrasions may give the direction of
movement
o types
scratch
commencement and termination are well
defined
if fingernails – broad at the commencement
and may terminate with a tailing
gaze
forcible contact with rough, hard objects
clean commencement and tags on the end
impact or imprint abrasion
provides objective evidence to show cause,
nature of the wounding material or instrument
and the manner of assault or death
pressure or friction abrasion
observed in hanging or strangulation
standing
Wounding weapon Firmly grasped (cadaveric Absent
spasm) or lying beside
victim
Blood distribution Blood in front of the body; Blood at the back of the
hands smeared with blood neck; hands clean
Motive Mental depression, Absence
domestic, financial and
social problems
Previous history of self- Present Absent
destruction
stab wound
o penetration of a sharp-pointed and sharp edged
instrument
o edges are clean-cut, regular and distinct
o surface length of the wound may reflect the width of the
wounding instrument
o may be wider when during withdrawal of instrument
o double bladed weapon – both extremities of wound are
sharp
if single bladed – one extremity is rounded
o may be suicidal, homicidal or accidental
Suicidal
over vital parts
solitary
on covered parts of the body
accessible to the hand of the victim
(+) cadaveric spasm on the wounding
instrument
(+) suicidal note – not always
(+) motive
no disturbance in the death scene with
instrument near victim
Homicidal
other injuries / wound aside from stab wound
are present
located any part of the body
more than one stab wound
(+) motive
(+) disturbance of the scene
Physical Injuries - Marfori, Francis Anthony V, MD, BSN 6
Accidental
rare
falling against a sharp object
o Medical evidences showing intent of the offender to kill
the victim
More than one stab wound
Wounds – different parts of the body or where vital
parts are
Stab wounds are deep
Stab wounds with serrated or zigzag borders –
indicate alternate thrust and withdrawal to increase
internal damages
punctured wounds
o result of a thrust of a sharp pointed instrument
o external injury is small but depth is to a certain degree
o opening may be round, elliptical, diamond-shape
o usually accidental but may be homicidal or suicidal
o opening on the skin may be small; much deeper
o External hemorrhage – limited; internal hemorrhage is
severe
o Homicidal
Multiple and on several parts of the body
Deep
(+) defense wounds
(+) signs of struggle
o Suicidal
Located in areas of the body where vital organs are
Singular
Accessible to the hand
Clothing not involved
Victim is sitting or standing with bleeding towards
the lower part of the body
(-) signs of struggle or disturbance of the scene
(+) suicide note – not always
Instrument – near the body
o Lacerated wound / tear / rupture
Tear of the skin due to forcible contact with blunt
instrument
Characteristics
Physical Injuries - Marfori, Francis Anthony V, MD, BSN 7