Adult Forensics

Question 1

Contusion

Answer 1

mechanical injury producing focal hemorrhage
reupture of caplllaries and venules, occuring in skin and internal organs
hematoma- blood pooled within tissue
mphages eventually engulf RBCs and begin to degrade hgb to bilirubin

Question 2

Abrasion

Answer 2

frictional force applied to epidermis

scraping of epidermis causes hemorrhage in exposed dermal vessels

Question 3

Lacterations

Answer 3

irregular tear or disruption of skin or organ due to stretching
distinguished from sharp force injury- incised wound

Question 4

incised wound

Answer 4

knife, ice pick, razor wound

wound produced by sharpened weapon

Question 5

entrance wound (general)

Answer 5

ring of dirt on clothing
round perforattion with abrasion collar
gunshot residues
range- contact, intermediate, distant

Question 6

exit wound characteristics

Answer 6

stellate shape, w/o abrasion
no gunshot residues
large, cavitating exit wound in high velocity gunshot wounds

Question 7

thermal burns

Answer 7

1st and 2nd- partial- epidermis only

3rd- full- epidermis, dermis, skin grafting

scalds- tissue damage from hot liquids
inhalation burns- heated gases/toxic fumes

complications- ARDS, fluid loss, infection, contractures

Question 8

complications of thermal injuries

Answer 8

early- fluid and electrolyte derangements
late- infxns, sepsis often with pseudomonas aeroginosa
contractions

Question 9

electrical burns

Answer 9

electrical energy converted to heat
disrupts cardiac conduction system if conducted across the heart (vfib)
high voltage may cause charrage
punched out burn with blackened margins