Forensic Significance of Injuries Flashcards
What must we differentiate between when a victim presents with bruising of inner thighs and feet? Of these possibilities, what must we suspect first?
Sport injury
Medical procedure
SA (suspect first)
Assault
When dealing with a possible SA case, what should we look for?
Damage to vaginal and anal tissue, breast tissue, ligature marks, other defensive wounds
How common are compression and avulsion injuries in MVC pedestrian deaths?
60%
What does directionality of damage caused by MVCs indicate?
Directionality of impact
What is the inguinal area?
Series of fascia containing vessels, nerves, spermatic cord from ASIS to pubic bone
Describe inguinal stretching in MVCs. (4)
Blunt force trauma
From behind or oblique collision
Inguinal ligament overstretches, pulls skin and fascia
Bleeding into tissues
Why are feet more common for IV drug injections than legs?
Deeper and harder to find in thigh and leg.
Is the popliteal region common for IV drug injection?
No
What groups of people is IV drug injection on legs and feet generally seen?
Longtime users
Users of higher SES
What might indicate long time drug use?
Collapsed arm injection sites
Why is IV drug injection on legs/feet common in users of high SES?
Easier to hide
What are complications of IV drug injection?
Vasculitis
Ulceration
What injuries are typical of dismemberment?
Sharp postmortem trauma
Tool marks retained on bone
Why might someone dismember a body?
Forensic countermeasure - hide ID, aid in body disposal
