Forensic aspects of trauma Flashcards

1
Q

Definition of an injury

Mechanism of injury

Classification of injuries

  • Epidemiology of injury
  • Mode of injury
  • Differences, descriptors and implications of injuries

Relating tissues damage to energy transfer

Biological and physiological variables which determine outcome of injury

Interpretation of how trauma was perpetrated

A

.

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2
Q

Classification of injuries

A

Appearance or method, e.g. abrasion, contusion

Manner of cause, e.g. suicidal, accidental

Nature of injury, e.g. blunt, sharp

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3
Q

Blunt force injuries include (3)

A

Contusions (bruises)
Abrasions (grace, scratch)
Lacerations (cut, tear)

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4
Q

Describe the following blunt force injuries

  • contusions
  • abrasions
  • lacerations
A

Contusion - burst blood vessel in skin but skin surface still intact

Abrasion - scraping of skin surface

Laceration - tear/split of skin due to CRUSHING

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5
Q

Tramline bruises are caused by what shape object

A

Long cylindrical rod like object

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6
Q

Factors affecting prominence of a contusion (5)

A

Skin pigment/colour

Depth + location - buttocks and abdo bruise less easily

Amount of subcutaneous fat

Age

Coagulative disorders - thrombocytopenia, haemophilia, ALD

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7
Q

Lacerations can leave what hints to support it

A

Tissue bridges- small tiny tethers of tissue connecting both sides of wound unlike an incised wound which is a clean cut

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8
Q

Sharp force injuries include (2)

A

Incised wound - superficial injury, longer than it is deep

Stab wound - penetrating injury, wound depth greater than length

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9
Q

Defensive type injuries are either

A

Passive - victim raises arms and legs for protection

Active - victim tries to grab weapon

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10
Q

Self inflicted injuries are usually blunt or sharp force

A

Sharp

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11
Q

Consequences of the injury depends on what factors (4)

A

Type of mechanical insult - blunt/sharp/homicide

Nature of target tissue - head/chest/abdo

Forces involved - RTC/fall from height

Number of impacts

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12
Q

See neuro lecture about types of skull fractures

A

.

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13
Q

Traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage* is due to

*not the same as a normal subarachnoid haemorrhage

A

Rapid rotation of head, usually from a single punch to jaw/side of head
–> traumatic rupture of vessels at base of brain, usually tear of vertebral artery

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14
Q

Diffuse axonal injury is the clinical term - what is the pathological term + describe what this injury involves

A

Traumatic axonal injury

Immediate and prolonged coma with no apparent mass lesion; just damaged axons due to trauma (RAPID ACCELERATION THEN DECELERATION)

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