Injury to the Body Flashcards
Intensity of the force obeys the usual laws of physics
Kinetic energy = 1/2 mass X velocity^2
Important factor of the mechanism of injury
Area
Force applied over a smaller area results in_____
a greater impact to any given unit of tissue
Resultant damage depends on____
Type of mechanical insult and nature of target tissue
Excessive mechanical force can cause______
Compression
Traction
Torsion
Tangenital (shearing)
Classification of injury
Appearance or method of causation
Manner of causation: suicidal, accidental or homicidal
Nature of injury: blunt or sharp force, explosive
Blunt force injuries
Contusions (bruise)
Abrasions (scraping of skin surface)
Lacerations (deep tear or split)
Types of Bruising
Contusions
Patterned: tramline, fingertip
Factors affecting prominence of bruising
Skin pigmentation
Depth and location (occur more readily on loose skin)
Fat- bruise more easily
Age
Coagulative disorders: thrombocytopenia, Von Willebrand’s disease, haemophilia, liver disease (alcoholics), bone marrow disease
Why do resilient areas bruise less easily
do not have underlying bone which acts as an anvil with skin between bone and inflicting object
Graze, scratch- scraping of skin surface
Abrasion
Cut/tear/split of skin due to crushin
Laceration
Sharp force
Injury caused by any weapon with sharp cutting edge
Types of sharp force injuries
Incised wounds (slashing motion) Stab wounds (penetrating injuries)
Stab wounds can be______ which can also indicate the weapon used
Patterned
