Forensic aspects of trauma Flashcards
How is injury defined?
Physical harm or damage to someone’s body caused by an accident or an attack due to application of mechanical force
What are the 4 main types of injury?
Compression
Traction
Torsion
Shearing
What determines the resultant damage from injury?
Type of mechanical insult AND nature of target tissue
What are the broad classification of injury?
Appearance or method of causation
Manner of causation
Nature of injury
What are different types of method of causation of injury?
Abrasion Contusion Laceration Incised wounds Gunshot wounds Burns
What are different manners of causation of injury?
Suicidal/self inflicted
Accidental
Homicidal
What are different natures of injury?
Blunt force
Sharp force
Explosive
What type of injuries does blunt force cause?
Contusions
Abrasions
Lacerations
What are contusions?
Bruises - burst blood vessels in skin
What are abrasions?
Grazes and scratches - scraping of skin surface
What are lacerations?
Cut/tear/split of the skin due to crushing
What are examples contusion patterns?
Tramline bruising
Fingertip bruises
What factors affect prominence of contusion?
Skin pigmentation
Depth
Location
Fat - higher subcutaneous fat = easier bruising
Age
Resilient areas - buttocks and abdomen bruise less easily
Coagulative disorders
What causes sharp force injury?
Injury caused by weapons with a sharp cutting edge ie a knife
What is an incised wound?
Superficial sharp force injury caused by slashing - longer on ski surface than deep