Forensic aspects of trauma Flashcards
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
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Classification of injuries
Appearance or method, e.g. abrasion, contusion
Manner of cause, e.g. suicidal, accidental
Nature of injury, e.g. blunt, sharp
Blunt force injuries include (3)
Contusions (bruises)
Abrasions (grace, scratch)
Lacerations (cut, tear)
Describe the following blunt force injuries
- contusions
- abrasions
- lacerations
Contusion - burst blood vessel in skin but skin surface still intact
Abrasion - scraping of skin surface
Laceration - tear/split of skin due to CRUSHING
Tramline bruises are caused by what shape object
Long cylindrical rod like object
Factors affecting prominence of a contusion (5)
Skin pigment/colour
Depth + location - buttocks and abdo bruise less easily
Amount of subcutaneous fat
Age
Coagulative disorders - thrombocytopenia, haemophilia, ALD
Lacerations can leave what hints to support it
Tissue bridges- small tiny tethers of tissue connecting both sides of wound unlike an incised wound which is a clean cut
Sharp force injuries include (2)
Incised wound - superficial injury, longer than it is deep
Stab wound - penetrating injury, wound depth greater than length
Defensive type injuries are either
Passive - victim raises arms and legs for protection
Active - victim tries to grab weapon
Self inflicted injuries are usually blunt or sharp force
Sharp
Consequences of the injury depends on what factors (4)
Type of mechanical insult - blunt/sharp/homicide
Nature of target tissue - head/chest/abdo
Forces involved - RTC/fall from height
Number of impacts
See neuro lecture about types of skull fractures
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Traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage* is due to
*not the same as a normal subarachnoid haemorrhage
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
Diffuse axonal injury is the clinical term - what is the pathological term + describe what this injury involves
Traumatic axonal injury
Immediate and prolonged coma with no apparent mass lesion; just damaged axons due to trauma (RAPID ACCELERATION THEN DECELERATION)
