Forensic Aspects of Trauma Flashcards
Will damage to tissue be greater if a narrow edge or wide edge is used?
Narrow- greater force over small area
Traction?
Stretching of body or skin
Torsion?
Twisting motion
Tangential force?
Shearing of skin from underlying tissue
Blunt force injuries?
Caused by impact by blunt object e.g. ground, fist, foot, weapon
What injuries can be seen in blunt force injuries?
Contusion’s- bruising
Abrasions- grazes or scratches to skin surface
Lacerations- cut or tear of skin
Incise wound- usually more knife injury but commonly mixed with lacerations
Tramline bruises?
Two parallel lines of bruising, typical of broom handle or rod shaped weapon
Finger tip bruising?
Small round bruises, typical if someone was grabbing the neck or leg etc. comes from gripping injury
How does amount of subcutaneous fat affect burising?
More subcutaneous fat= bruise more easily
Which two age groups can bruise more easily?
Children- skin is looser
Elderly- blood vessels of skin are poorly supplied
What are some more resilient areas which do not bruise as easily?
Buttocks
Abdomen
List some coagulative disorders which can cause bruising more easily.
Thrombocytopenia
Von Willebrand’s disease
Haemophilia
Liver disease- alcoholics
Bone marrow disease
What may cause linear parallel scratch like abrasions?
Serrated blade
Circular mark/abrasion with bruising may be what?
Bite mark
Incised wounds?
Superficial sharp force injury caused by slashing motion
Longer on the skin surface than it is deep
Stab wounds?
Penetrating injury resulting from thrusting motion
Wound depth greater than length on surface
Lightning bolt penetrating wound caused by?
Scissors
What is meant by a passive defensive injury?
Victim raises arms or legs for projection and they get hurt instead
What is meant by an active defensive injury?
Victim tries to grab weapon or attackers hand- knife can slice through hand
RECAP- which bloods vessels cause subdural haemorrhage?
Bridging veins
->slower which is why people can appear fine and then die in sleep
Commonest type of aneurysm causing subarachnoid haemorrhage?
Berry aneurysm
What can cause a traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage?
Rapid rotational movement of the head, usually as the result of a single punch to jaw/upper part of neck or side of head
Diffuse axon injury?
Immediate and prolonged coma with no apparent mass lesion or metabolic abnormality
When is diffuse axonal injuries most commonly seen?
RTA’s
What is some internal damage caused by blunt force injuries?
Fractured ribs
Lacerations of lungs or vessels
Bowel tears, liver or spleen lacerations
What is some internal damage caused by sharp force injuries?
Intercostal vessels or ribs
Pneumothorax or haemothorax
Lungs- penetration, haemorrhage, collapse
Heart- penetration, tamponade
Some injuries caused by resusitation?
Bruising on neck and chest
Finger marks
Bruising/laceration of lips and gums
Damage to teeth
Sternal and rib fractures
Pleural cavity haemorrhage
