Assessing Wounds.... |
How they died.... |
Classification of Wounds. |
Bruises....also called contusions and ecchymoses. It is a hemoorhage into the tissues produced blood leaking from broken blood vessels. They can occur in skin, organs as well as muscle. "tramline"....two parallel linear bruises which indicate blows with a rod or stick. On the buttocks, the lines take the contour of the body. "doughnut"....circle with unbruised center indicates struck by a ball. Abrasion....is when a portion of the body's surface has been removed as a result of a rubbing action. A graze is a synonym for an abrasion as is the bullet "grazed" him. When an abrasion is linear and caused by a sharp point drawn against the skin, it is referred to as a scratch. Laceration....is a tear in the tissues that has ragged edges. It is also referred to as a "gash" or cut. Puncture.....is a small hole made with a sharp pointy object. When the sharp object has force behind it and is driven into the tissue, it is referred to as a stab. When the stab passes through the entire thickness of the skin or an organ, it is referred to as a perforation. Penetrating wounds enter the organ but do not pass completely through it. |
Problems associated with bruising as evidence of a crime: 1. Delayed appearance. Takes more than a day to appear. 2. Aging. With aging, bruises occur more easily and not necessarily because of trauma. 3. Degree of force not always commesurate with size of bruise. Classic examples of bruising: 1. In cases of strangulation or battered babies, there is often fingerpad bruising. 2. Bruises in different stages of healing could indicate repeatd assaults. 3. Bruises on the shoulders or arms could indicate forceful restraint. 4. Bruises around ankles and wrists could indicate dragging or bondage. 5. Bruises on the inner thighs and/or labia could indicate forceful intercourse. 6. Bruises on the chest can be indicative of resuscitation. |
A Cutting question.... |
Importance evidence can be gathered by examining the wound and comparing it to various knife blade widths, serrations, and tips. 1. Double or single edged blade: elipse or "fish tailing". 2. Blade width comparable to wound length. 3. Blade length compared to deepest wound. 4. Force relative to sharpness of the tip, did it penetrate bone or cartilage. 5. Wound patterns: homicide: multiple, defense wounds, scattered, different directions, same force, several potentially fatal. suicide: multiple, elective sites, grouped, tentative or hesitation wounds, one fatal. |
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