Chapter 7: Sharp Force Injury

Sharp Force Injury

Injuries produced with sharp objects capable of cutting or stabbing.

Cutting

An injury created when a sharp-edged object is drawn over the skin, resulting in a wound longer than it is deep.

Stabbing

An injury resulting from a sharp object penetrating the skin.

Incised Wound

Another term for a cut, where the injury is longer than it is deep.

Laceration

A tear produced by blunt force rather than cutting with a sharp object.

Hilt Mark

Injuries that surround a stab wound, indicating maximum insertion depth of the blade.

Defense Wounds

Injuries sustained when a victim attempts to protect themselves from an assailant.

Offensive Cuts

Wounds sustained by the assailant when their hand slips onto the blade during an attack.

Hesitation Cuts

Superficial cuts frequently associated with suicidal stabbings, indicating uncertainty.

Pulsating Hemorrhage

Rapid blood loss resulting from an artery being breached.

Subcutaneous Tissues

Tissues under the skin that can contribute to the depth of a stab wound.

Vasodilation

Widening of blood vessels, which can occur in warm water and prevent clotting.

Self-Inflicted Stab Wounds

Stab wounds inflicted by the victim upon themselves, often superficial and multiple.

Suicidal Stabbings

Stab wounds inflicted with the intent to end one's life, usually involving hesitation cuts.

Arterial Bleeding

Severe bleeding from arteries that tends to be rapid and pulsating.

Venous Bleeding

Slow bleeding from veins that lacks pressure.

Wound Track

The pathway of a wound as it penetrates the skin.

Serrated Blades

Blades that cause indistinguishable wounds unless scraping the skin sideways.

Chopping Instruments

Instruments like meat cleavers and machetes that create gaping wounds with abrasions.

Cleavage Lines of Langer

Lines of tension in skin determined by elastic and collagenous fibers.

Air Embolism

The presence of air in the bloodstream, usually resulting from a neck injury.

Pneumothorax

Air in the chest cavity caused by a penetrating wound.

Disarticulation

Disjointing at the joints typically without fractures.

Dismemberment

Separation of body parts, often with dry edges and lack of bleeding.

Post-Mortem Changes

Changes occurring after death that may alter appearance of injuries.

Depth Measurement

The assessment of how deep a wound penetrates, which can exceed blade length.

Suicide Attempts

Repeated attempts to end one's life, often marked by specific injury patterns.

Aggressive Stabbing

Stabbing that shows movement and struggle between the assailant and the victim.

Autopsy Procedures

Methods employed to examine a body post-mortem, including photography of wounds.

Mechanical Trauma

Injury caused by physical force, often resulting in damage to body tissues.

Abrasion

A wound resulting from scraping or rubbing that may indicate struggle.

Blood Loss Complications

Dangers arising from excessive blood loss due to injuries.

Infection Risk

The potential for infection following a wound, which can complicate healing.

Chemical Comparison

Analysis method to identify broken glass slivers associated with injuries.

Force Required

The amount of pressure needed to inflict a stab wound.

Pain Sensation

Variability of pain perception between the skin surface and internal organs.

Wound Reconstruction

Process of restoring a wound to its original condition post-injury.

Blood Inhalation Effects

Complications resulting from inhaling blood, particularly after neck injuries.

Surgical Emergencies

Critical medical situations that require immediate intervention due to stab wounds.

Victim's Movement

The dynamics of how a victim and assailant interact during a stabbing.

Wound Photographs Protocol

Guidelines followed when photographing injuries during autopsy.

Beverage Container Injuries

Injuries inflicted with broken glass bottles, requiring careful inspection.

Wound Type Identification

Determining the nature of a wound based on its characteristics and patterns.

Distorted Wound Shapes

Atypical appearances of injuries resulting from movement during the stabbing.

Serra-tions Visibility

Appearance of serrations only when engaging the skin surface.

Low Pressure Injury

Types of wounds associated with veins experiencing lower pressure.

Scissors vs. Knife Wounds

Differences in wounds based on the sharpness and tip of instruments.

Blood Volume Loss

The total amount of blood that can be lost from injuries, critical in trauma cases.

Body Surface Dynamics

The effectiveness of body tissues to absorb the thrusts of stabbing.

Historical Stabbing Trends

Patterns observed in previous incidents, informative in forensic studies.