injury and post mortem Flashcards
sharp force injuries
incised wounds
stab wounds
sharp force injuries: incised wounds
sharp object that is longer than it is deep
no bridging or association with blunt forces
sharp force injuries: stab wounds
deeper than they are long
sharp force injuries: signs of suicide
injury in:
accessible sites
sites of perceived harm
concealed sites
sharp force injuries: signs of homicide
inaccessible sites in areas of perceived harm
blunt force injuries
abrasions
bruises
lacerations
blunt force injury’s: abrasions
trivial
little bleeding
heal quickly
blunt force injury’s: bruises
crushed blood vessels
shape doesn’t always match shape of object due to tracking
blunt force injury’s: lacerations
cut/tear/split due to crushing
edges are ragged and can have bridging
from:
- flat surface
- edge of object
- over rotation due to machinery
- friction
chop injuries
combo of both sharp and blunt force
heavy bladed
often incised with abrasion/bruising
early post mortem changes
algor mortis
livor mortis
rigor mortis
early post mortem changes: algor mortis
body goes cold
useful indicator for TOD in first 24hrs
but can change due to placement and enviroment
early post mortem changes: livor mortis
pooling of blood
very variable- not good indicator for TOD
early post mortem changes: rigor mortis
ATP get used up so muscles can’t relax
increased calcium also increased bridging of myosin
once broken can’t be reformed
early post mortem changes: factors effecting rigor mortis
cold body, warm environment, increased activity before death
all speed up onset
