TEST 2 Flashcards
Four Types of Blunt Force Trauma:
- Abrasions2. Contusions3. Lacerations4. Fractures of the skeletal system
Factors affecting the severity, extent and appearance of blunt force trauma injuries:
o Amount of force delivered to the body Time over which the force is delivered Region struck Extent of body surface over which the force is delivered Type of weapon Condition of body being struck
An injury to the skin in which there is removal of the superficial epithelial layer of the skin (the epidermis) due to friction against a rough surface with resultant scraping away of the superficial portions of the epidermis, or destruction of the superficial layers by compression.
Abrasion:
Three Types of Abrasions:
Scrape or brush abrasions (grazes or sliding) Impact abrasions (pressure abrasions) Patterned abrasions
o Scrapes off the superficial layers of skino Leaves a denuded surfaceo May extend into the dermis causing capillary bleeding and deposition of serosanguineous fluid.o Most common type is a linear abrasion known as a scratch.o Severe case example is “road rash”.
Scrape or brush abrasions (grazes or sliding
o The force is directed perpendicular to the skin, crushing it.o Commonly over bony prominences.o Commonly seen in individuals who collapse and hit their heads on the ground or some other object
Impact abrasions (pressure abrasions)
o A variation of an impact abrasion.o Imprint of the offending object is imprinted or stamped on the skin by the crushing effect of the blunt object.
Patterned abrasions
Four Stages of Healing in an Abrasion
- Scab Formation 2. Epithelial Regeneration and Covering 3. Subepithelial Granulation 4. Regression of Epithelium and Granulation Tissue
An area of hemorrhage into soft tissue due to rupture of blood vessels caused by blunt trauma. May also be present in internal organs
CONTUSION OR BRUISE
a large focal collection of blood in an area of contusion.
Hematoma
Contusions may or may not be
patterned
Deep bruises may not be visible externally
incisions may be necessary to document these injuries
The absence of a bruise or abrasion does not indicate
there has been no blunt force trauma to the specific area.
The extent and severity of a contusion depends upon
The amount of force applied,o The structure and vascularity of the tissue that is injured
Factors influencing the size of a contusion 4
o Ageo Sexo The condition and health of the victimo The site and type of tissues struc
Replication Limitations and Accuracy in Documentation of Blunt Force Injury to Skin
“Skin is not the best medium to record detail.” (Bodziak, 143.)Photographing this type of evidence can be challenging and problematic due to the topography of the skin.
Methods used for aging a bruise
Histology Color changes
Conclusion: A bruise is described as either
recent or old
Postmortem Contusions
May occur if a severe blow is delivered to a body within a few hours after death. May result from the surgical removal of the corneas or the globes of the eyes shortly after death. Scleral hemorrhaging may occur at the puncture site after acquiring vitreous. Hemorrhage into the eyelids may occur in cases of head trauma with orbital plate fracturing.
LACERATIONS
A tear in tissue caused by either a shearing or a crushing force. Lacerations can occur in the internal organs as well as in the skin. Lacerations of the skin tend to be irregular with abraded and contused margins. Lacerations are caused by blows from blunt objects or falls. Lacerations occur most commonly over bony prominence
Fractures of the Extremities 2 types
- Direct 2. Indirect Application of Force
Direct Application of Force:
Penetrating fractures Focal fractures Crush fractures
Indirect Application of Force
Traction Angulation Rotational Vertical compression Angulation and compression Angulation, rotation and compression
Occur primarily in bone disease and tumors of bone
Pathologic rib fractures
Occur during CPR
Iatrogenic rib fractures
Sudden death from impact, baseball, karate kick
Commotio Cordis