Bases of Forensic medical traumatology. Blunt objects

Bases of forensic medicalBases of forensic medical
traumatologytraumatology

PLANPLAN
• 1. General questions of1. General questions of forensic medicalforensic medical
traumatologytraumatology
• 2. Abrasions.2. Abrasions.
• 3. Bruises (contusion).3. Bruises (contusion).
• 4. Lacerations.4. Lacerations.
• 5. Damage of skull and bones5. Damage of skull and bones

FORENSIC TRAUMATOLOGYFORENSIC TRAUMATOLOGY
An Injury or a WoundAn Injury or a Wound
means a solution or disruption of the anatomicalmeans a solution or disruption of the anatomical
continuity of any of the body tissuescontinuity of any of the body tissues
Factors Responsible For a Mechanical Injury:Factors Responsible For a Mechanical Injury:
1) force;1) force;
2) area over which it acts;2) area over which it acts;
3) specific effect of the force;3) specific effect of the force;
4) time taken over which the kinetic energy is4) time taken over which the kinetic energy is
transferred.transferred.

CLASSIFICATION OF WOUNDSCLASSIFICATION OF WOUNDS
A. Classification of Injuries according to causative factors:A. Classification of Injuries according to causative factors:
I.I. Mechanical or Physical injuriesMechanical or Physical injuries
Injuries produced by application of blunt force:Injuries produced by application of blunt force:
1. Abrasion1. Abrasion
2. Bruise or contusion2. Bruise or contusion
3. Laceration3. Laceration
4. Fracture or dislocation of a bone, tooth or joint4. Fracture or dislocation of a bone, tooth or joint
Injuries produced by application of sharp weapon:Injuries produced by application of sharp weapon:
5. Incised wound5. Incised wound
6. Punctured (stab) wound6. Punctured (stab) wound
7. Incised- stab wound7. Incised- stab wound
8. Chopped wound8. Chopped wound
9. Sawn wound9. Sawn wound
Injuries produced by application of teeth:Injuries produced by application of teeth:
10. Bite marks.10. Bite marks.
Injuries caused by a high velocity projectile:Injuries caused by a high velocity projectile:
11. Firearm wound11. Firearm wound

SponsoredSponsored
Medical Lecture Notes –Medical Lecture Notes – All SubjectsAll Subjects
USMLE Exam (America) –USMLE Exam (America) – PracticePractice

CLASSIFICATION OF WOUNDS (2)CLASSIFICATION OF WOUNDS (2)
II.II. Thermal injuriesThermal injuries
1. Due to application of heat:1. Due to application of heat:
a) General effects of exposure to heat, hot atmosphere -a) General effects of exposure to heat, hot atmosphere -
Hyperpyrexia (heat stroke or sun stroke)Hyperpyrexia (heat stroke or sun stroke)
b) Effects of local application of heat:b) Effects of local application of heat:
• Burn (due to application of dry heat);Burn (due to application of dry heat);
• Scald (due to application of moist heat).Scald (due to application of moist heat).
2. Due to application of cold:2. Due to application of cold:
a) General effect of exposure to cold – Hypothermia;a) General effect of exposure to cold – Hypothermia;
b) Local effects of exposure to cold:b) Local effects of exposure to cold:
• Frost bite (due to dry cold);Frost bite (due to dry cold);
• Trench foot (due to moist cold).Trench foot (due to moist cold).
IIIIII Chemical injuriesChemical injuries:: Corrosive poisons.Corrosive poisons.

IV.IV. Miscellaneous injuriesMiscellaneous injuries
1. Electrical injury;1. Electrical injury;
2. Radiation injuries;2. Radiation injuries;
3. Lightning injuries (a combination of electrical3. Lightning injuries (a combination of electrical
injury, mechanical injury and thermal injury);injury, mechanical injury and thermal injury);
4. Blast injuries (a combination of mechanical4. Blast injuries (a combination of mechanical
and thermal injuries).and thermal injuries).

B. Medico-legal classification of injuries:B. Medico-legal classification of injuries:
I. Self-inflicted or SuicidalI. Self-inflicted or Suicidal
II. Injuries inflicted by others or HomicidalII. Injuries inflicted by others or Homicidal
III. Accidental injuriesIII. Accidental injuries
IV. Defence woundsIV. Defence wounds
V. Fabricated woundsV. Fabricated wounds
C. Classification in relation to moment of Death:C. Classification in relation to moment of Death:
• Ante-mortem woundsAnte-mortem wounds
• Post-mortem woundsPost-mortem wounds

Various Contact Surfaces of Blunt ObjectsVarious Contact Surfaces of Blunt Objects

Injuring Action of a Flat Surface: Unlimited,Injuring Action of a Flat Surface: Unlimited,
Limited, and Mixed.Limited, and Mixed.

ABRASIONSABRASIONS
AnAn abrasionabrasion isis
a destruction of the epidermis only.a destruction of the epidermis only.
The exposed raw surface is covered by exudationThe exposed raw surface is covered by exudation
of lymph and blood, which produces a protectiveof lymph and blood, which produces a protective
covering known as acovering known as a scab or crust.scab or crust.
They areThey are simple injuriessimple injuries, bleed slightly, and heal, bleed slightly, and heal
rapidly without scar formation.rapidly without scar formation.

Mechanism of the Abrasion FormationMechanism of the Abrasion Formation

Destruction of the EpidermisDestruction of the Epidermis
in Abrasionin Abrasion

Types:Types:
1) Scratches:1) Scratches:
2) Grazes2) Grazes (sliding, scraping or grinding abrasions):(sliding, scraping or grinding abrasions):
““drag marks”drag marks”

(3) Pressure Abrasions (crushing or friction(3) Pressure Abrasions (crushing or friction
abrasions):abrasions):
Ligature MarkLigature Mark

MANUAL STRANGULATIONMANUAL STRANGULATION
crescentic abrasionscrescentic abrasions

4) Impact4) Impact
AbrasionsAbrasions
(contact or(contact or
imprintimprint
abrasions):abrasions):

Age of Abrasions:Age of Abrasions:
• Fresh:Fresh: Bright red.Bright red.
• 12 to 24 hours:12 to 24 hours: Lymph and blood dries up leaving aLymph and blood dries up leaving a
bright scab.bright scab.
• 3 to 4 days:3 to 4 days: Reddish-brown scab.Reddish-brown scab.
• 4 to 5 days:4 to 5 days: Epithelium grows and covers defectEpithelium grows and covers defect
under the scab.under the scab.
• After 7 days:After 7 days: Scab dries, shrinks and falls off.Scab dries, shrinks and falls off.

On post-mortem drying, abrasions becomeOn post-mortem drying, abrasions become
dark-brown or even blackdark-brown or even black

Medico-legal Importance:Medico-legal Importance:
1) Idea about the site of impact and direction of the force.1) Idea about the site of impact and direction of the force.
2) Patterned abrasions are helpful in connecting the2) Patterned abrasions are helpful in connecting the
wounds with the object which produced them.wounds with the object which produced them.
3) The age of the injury can be determined.3) The age of the injury can be determined.
4) Dirt, dust, grease or particles of stone or sand are usually4) Dirt, dust, grease or particles of stone or sand are usually
present, which may connect the injuries to the Scene ofpresent, which may connect the injuries to the Scene of
crime.crime.
5) Character and manner of injury may be known from its5) Character and manner of injury may be known from its
distribution.distribution.

CONTUSIONS (BRUISES)CONTUSIONS (BRUISES)
AA contusioncontusion
(or bruise)(or bruise)
is an effusion ofis an effusion of
blood into theblood into the
tissues, due totissues, due to
the rupture ofthe rupture of
blood vessels,blood vessels,
due to bluntdue to blunt
violence.violence.

Spectacle haematoma; black eye)Spectacle haematoma; black eye)
HaematomaHaematoma

Patterned BruisesPatterned Bruises

Deep Tissue and Organ Contusions:Deep Tissue and Organ Contusions:
Contusions of Heart and KidneyContusions of Heart and Kidney

The Age of Bruise:The Age of Bruise:
• At first:At first: PurplePurple
• Few hours to 2 days:Few hours to 2 days: Blue-purpleBlue-purple
• 3 - 4 days:3 - 4 days: Brown (haemosiderin) - greenishBrown (haemosiderin) - greenish
(biliverdine)(biliverdine)
• 5 to 6 days:5 to 6 days: Yellow (bilirubin)Yellow (bilirubin)
• 7 to 8 days:7 to 8 days: Three-coloured:Three-coloured: on periphery -on periphery -
brown-yellow, in media part - greenish -brown,brown-yellow, in media part - greenish -brown,
in the center - blue-purplein the center - blue-purple
• 2 weeks:2 weeks: NormalNormal
A love bite (Hickey) may vanish in 2 or 3 days.A love bite (Hickey) may vanish in 2 or 3 days.

Ante-mortem and Post-mortem BruisingAnte-mortem and Post-mortem Bruising::
InIn ante-mortemante-mortem bruising there is :bruising there is :
• swelling,swelling,
• damage to epithelium,damage to epithelium,
• extravasation,extravasation,
• coagulation,coagulation,
• infiltration of the tissue with blood and colorinfiltration of the tissue with blood and color
changes.changes.
These signs are absent inThese signs are absent in post-mortempost-mortem bruises.bruises.

ComplicationsComplications
• A contusion may contain 20 to 30 ml of bloodA contusion may contain 20 to 30 ml of blood
or even more. Multiple contusions can causeor even more. Multiple contusions can cause
death from shock and internal haemorrhage.death from shock and internal haemorrhage.
• Gangrene and death of tissue can result.Gangrene and death of tissue can result.
• Pooled blood can serve as a site for strongPooled blood can serve as a site for strong
bacterial growth, especially for Clostridia group.bacterial growth, especially for Clostridia group.
• Rarely in severe sudden compression of theRarely in severe sudden compression of the
subcutaneous tissue, pulmonary fat embolismsubcutaneous tissue, pulmonary fat embolism
may occur.may occur.

I) The degree of violence may be determined fromI) The degree of violence may be determined from
their size.their size.
2) Patterned bruises may connect the victim and the2) Patterned bruises may connect the victim and the
object or weapon.object or weapon.
4) Character and manner of injury may be known4) Character and manner of injury may be known
from its distribution.from its distribution.

Homicidal bruisesHomicidal bruises

LACERATIONSLACERATIONS
LacerationsLacerations areare
tears of skin,tears of skin,
mucousmucous
membrane,membrane,
muscle ormuscle or
internal organsinternal organs
produced byproduced by
application ofapplication of
blunt force toblunt force to
broad area of thebroad area of the
body.body.
They are also calledThey are also called
tears or ruptures.tears or ruptures.

Types:Types:
1) Split Lacerations: Splitting occurs by crushing of the skin between two
hard objects. Scalp lacerations occur due to the tissues being crushed
between skull and some hard object, such as the ground or a blunt
instrument.
2) Stretch Lacerations: Overstretching of the skin if it is fixed will cause
laceration. There is a local pressure with pull, which increases until
tearing occurs and produces a flap. This is seen in cases of run-over
by a motor vehicle, and the flap may indicate the direction of the
vehicle's movement.
3) Avulsion is a laceration produced by sufficient force (shearing force)
applied at an acute angle to detach (tear off) a portion of the
traumatized surface of an organ from its attachment. The shearing
and grinding force produced by a weight, such as a lorry wheel
passing over a limb, may cause separation of the skin from the
underlying tissues (avulsion) over a relatively large area. This is called
"flaying". The underlying muscles are crushed, and the bones may be
fractured. The separated skin may show extensive abrasions from the
rotating frictional effect of the tyre.
4) Tears: Tearing of the skin and tissues can occur from impact by or
against irregular or semi-sharp objects, such as the door handle of a
car. This is another form of overstretching.

Characters:Characters:
1.1. Margins areMargins are irregularirregular
2.2. Ends areEnds are bluntblunt
3.3. BruisingBruising is seen around the wound.is seen around the wound.
4.4. Deeper tissues are unevenly divided with tags of tissue at theDeeper tissues are unevenly divided with tags of tissue at the
bottom of the wound bridging across the margin.bottom of the wound bridging across the margin. TissueTissue
bridgesbridges consist of nerves, blood vessels and elastic andconsist of nerves, blood vessels and elastic and
connective tissue fibres.connective tissue fibres.
5.5. Hair bulbs are crushed.Hair bulbs are crushed.
Lacerations on theLacerations on the
cut:cut:
(1) wound canal:(1) wound canal:
(2, 4) central zone;(2, 4) central zone;
(3) peripheral zone;(3) peripheral zone;
(5) margins.(5) margins.

Wound Healing (Age of wound)Wound Healing (Age of wound)
• The phase of traumatic inflammation (from 1 toThe phase of traumatic inflammation (from 1 to
3 days after wounding)3 days after wounding)
• The destructive phase (from 4 to 6 days)The destructive phase (from 4 to 6 days)
• The proliferative phase (from 4 to14 days)The proliferative phase (from 4 to14 days)
• The phase formation of scar (from 7 to14 days)The phase formation of scar (from 7 to14 days)

Ante-mortem Lacerations showAnte-mortem Lacerations show
• bruising of marginsbruising of margins
• vital reactionvital reaction
• eversion and gaping of the margins.eversion and gaping of the margins.

ComplicationsComplications
• Laceration of an internal organ may cause severeLaceration of an internal organ may cause severe
or even fatal bleeding. Multiple lacerations,or even fatal bleeding. Multiple lacerations,
involving only the skin and subcutaneous tissue,involving only the skin and subcutaneous tissue,
each causing some haemorrhage, may combineeach causing some haemorrhage, may combine
to cause shock and death.to cause shock and death.
• Pulmonary or systemic fat embolism may occurPulmonary or systemic fat embolism may occur
due to crushing of subcutaneous tissue.due to crushing of subcutaneous tissue.
• Infection.Infection.

Difference between Ante-mortem and Post-mortem WoundsDifference between Ante-mortem and Post-mortem Wounds
CharacteristicsCharacteristics Ante-mortem woundAnte-mortem wound Post-mortem woundPost-mortem wound
MarginsMargins The edges are swollen, everted,The edges are swollen, everted,
retracted, and gaping.retracted, and gaping.
The edges do not gape but areThe edges do not gape but are
close to each other.close to each other.
HaemorrhageHaemorrhage Abundant and usually arterial.Abundant and usually arterial. Slight or larger than slight,Slight or larger than slight,
venous.venous.
SpurtingSpurting Signs of spurting of arterial blood onSigns of spurting of arterial blood on
the body, clothing or in its vicinitythe body, clothing or in its vicinity
No spurting of blood.No spurting of blood.
ExtravasationsExtravasations . Staining of the edges of the wound. Staining of the edges of the wound
and extravasations in the neighbouringand extravasations in the neighbouring
subcutaneous and interstitial tissuessubcutaneous and interstitial tissues
which can not be removed by washing.which can not be removed by washing.
The edges and cellular tissues areThe edges and cellular tissues are
not deeply stained.not deeply stained.
CoagulationCoagulation Firmly coagulated blood in woundsFirmly coagulated blood in wounds
and tissuesand tissues
No clotting or soft clots.No clotting or soft clots.
Vital reactionVital reaction Signs of vital reaction, i.e., inSigns of vital reaction, i.e., in
flammation and repair.flammation and repair.
No signs of vital reaction.No signs of vital reaction.
EnzymeEnzyme
histochemistryhistochemistry
Increased activity ofIncreased activity of
adenosinetriphospate, aminopeptidase,adenosinetriphospate, aminopeptidase,
acid and alkaline phosphatase.acid and alkaline phosphatase.
Diminished or no enzymeDiminished or no enzyme
activity.activity.

Causes of Death due to WoundsCauses of Death due to Wounds
• Immediate or direct.Immediate or direct.
• Remote or indirect.Remote or indirect.

Immediate CausesImmediate Causes
• Haemorrhage.Haemorrhage.
• Mechanical Injury to a Vital Organ.Mechanical Injury to a Vital Organ.
• Shock.Shock.
Types:Types:
•• HaemorrhagicHaemorrhagic shock: This occurs when the blood loss isshock: This occurs when the blood loss is
sufficient to impair peripheral perfusion that produces asufficient to impair peripheral perfusion that produces a
sufficient degree of systemic anoxia. Loss of 10 to 40 % of thesufficient degree of systemic anoxia. Loss of 10 to 40 % of the
total blood volume produces shock.total blood volume produces shock.
•• TraumaticTraumatic or wound shock.or wound shock.
•• BurnBurn shock: It results from loss of plasma, absorption ofshock: It results from loss of plasma, absorption of
necrotic tissue, and bacterial sepsis following extensive burnsnecrotic tissue, and bacterial sepsis following extensive burns
•• SurgicalSurgical shock.shock.
•• CardiacCardiac or cardiogenic shock.or cardiogenic shock.
•• SepticSeptic shock.shock.
•• EndotoxicEndotoxic shock.shock.
• Reflex Vagal Inhibition.Reflex Vagal Inhibition.

Remote CausesRemote Causes
• Infection.Infection.
• Gangrene or Necrosis.Gangrene or Necrosis.
• Crush Syndrome.Crush Syndrome.
• Neglect of Injured Person.Neglect of Injured Person.
• Surgical Operation.Surgical Operation.
• Natural Disease.Natural Disease.
• Fibrous scar tissue formed due to healing may contract andFibrous scar tissue formed due to healing may contract and
produce complications, e.g., fibrous scar in a hollow muscularproduce complications, e.g., fibrous scar in a hollow muscular
organ may produce stricture and obstruction.organ may produce stricture and obstruction.
• Thrombosis and Thromboembolism.Thrombosis and Thromboembolism.
• Embolism (Air, Fat, Tissue).Embolism (Air, Fat, Tissue).

1) The type of laceration may indicate the cause1) The type of laceration may indicate the cause
of the injury and the shape of the blunt weapon.of the injury and the shape of the blunt weapon.
2) Foreign bodies found in the wound may2) Foreign bodies found in the wound may
indicate the circumstances in which the crimeindicate the circumstances in which the crime
has been committed.has been committed.

Types of skull fracturesTypes of skull fractures
●● fissuredfissured
●● stellate or radiatingstellate or radiating
●● depressed (including terrace-like)depressed (including terrace-like)
●● elevatedelevated
●● perforating (buttonhole) fractureperforating (buttonhole) fracture
●● gutteredguttered
●● crushed or comminuted.crushed or comminuted.

Conclusion.Conclusion.
• Thus, knowledge of characteristics, stages ofThus, knowledge of characteristics, stages of
progress of damage by blunt objects help theprogress of damage by blunt objects help the
doctor in his professional activities, as often wasdoctor in his professional activities, as often was
he who first described it in the medical records.he who first described it in the medical records.

LIST OF LITERATURELIST OF LITERATURE
Main literatureMain literature
1. Babanin A.A., Belovitsky O.V., Skrebkova O.Yu. Forensic1. Babanin A.A., Belovitsky O.V., Skrebkova O.Yu. Forensic
medicine. Textbook // Simferopol, 2007. – 464 p.medicine. Textbook // Simferopol, 2007. – 464 p.
2.Simpson’s forensic medicine. 10-th ed, 1991.2.Simpson’s forensic medicine. 10-th ed, 1991.
Additional literatureAdditional literature
1.Forensic pathology: 2-nd ed. / Vincent J.Di Maio, Dominick Di1.Forensic pathology: 2-nd ed. / Vincent J.Di Maio, Dominick Di
Maio. – CRC Press. - 2001.Maio. – CRC Press. - 2001.
2. Color atlas of Forensic pathology / by Jay Dix. – 2000.2. Color atlas of Forensic pathology / by Jay Dix. – 2000.
3. Forensic evidence: science and the criminal law / Terrence F.3. Forensic evidence: science and the criminal law / Terrence F.
Kiely – CRC Press. - 2001.Kiely – CRC Press. - 2001.
4. Forensic science: an illustrated dictionary / by John C. Brenner. –4. Forensic science: an illustrated dictionary / by John C. Brenner. –
CRC Press. - 2000.CRC Press. - 2000.
5. Guide to forensic pathology / Jay Dix, Roben Calaluce; with5. Guide to forensic pathology / Jay Dix, Roben Calaluce; with
contributions by Mary Fran Ernst. – 1999.contributions by Mary Fran Ernst. – 1999.
6. Molecular forensics / edited by Ralph Rapley, David Whitehouse.6. Molecular forensics / edited by Ralph Rapley, David Whitehouse.
– Wiley. – 2007.1. Babanin A. A., Belovitsky O.V., Skrebkova– Wiley. – 2007.1. Babanin A. A., Belovitsky O.V., Skrebkova
O.Yu. Forensic Medicine. Textbook.- Simferopol, 2007.- 464 p.O.Yu. Forensic Medicine. Textbook.- Simferopol, 2007.- 464 p.

Bases of Forensic medical traumatology. Blunt objects

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Viewers also liked

Viewers also liked (20)

Similar to Bases of Forensic medical traumatology. Blunt objects

Similar to Bases of Forensic medical traumatology. Blunt objects (20)

More from Eneutron

More from Eneutron (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Bases of Forensic medical traumatology. Blunt objects